RTR disabled WC actuator system for NHS Centre

New purpose built NHS centre in Liverpool, has chosen RTR Services' WC door actuators to simplify access for wheelchair users to the GBP1.13 million building's disabled WC cubicles.

'Lifehouse' is an innovative partnership between Liverpool Primary Care Trust and the City Council, which brings together a range of services under one roof for people with disabilities and older people living in Liverpool, where previously the various service provisions were delivered from a number of separate locations in the city.

As the building is purpose designed to meet the varied needs of people throughout Liverpool, wheelchair and disabled access was a fundamental consideration in its design and construction, with considerable attention given to all facilities in the centre including its toilets.

Even with standard WC's, having disabled access with outward opening doors, for some, these can still be awkward to negotiate, which is why the building's designers included automatic opening doors that are actuated by sensitive touch-less switches.

However, the original system installed, proved to be confusing for users as there was too much information, which made the 'new' technology difficult to understand and operate correctly.

As a result, the door contractor turned to RTR Services to help provide a simpler, but equally advanced actuator solution.

Lil Garland, the Centre Manager for Liverpool Lifehouse, explained: "The attention to detail in everything we do at Lifehouse is critically important as our role is to make people's lives easier.

To some, disabled WC access may seem a relatively minor subject, but to us and the people that use our facilities, it's vital that we get it absolutely right.

She added: "We received a surprisingly large number of complaints about the original system, which worked well, but was too confusing and not intuitive to operate.

The new system is significantly better and operates simply by passing your hand over the sensor pad to open the door.

Once inside a similar 'touch pad' locks the door and integrated LED lights on the outside sensor switch to 'red' to show it is occupied".

Lifehouse is one of a growing number of public and private sector organisations that have chosen RTR's WC actuator system to provide simple, effective and reliable operation for powered WC doors.

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