Provision of extra stoma-friendly toilet facilities sought for Kildare

The call was made by a member of County Kildare Access Network, also known as CKAN

By Ciarán Mather Published 11th Aug 2026, 13:30 BST 'Greater comfort, independence and dignity': Extra stoma-friendly toilet facilities sought for Kildare | FILE PHOTOGRAPH / PIXABAY The call was made by a member of County Kildare Access Network, also known as CKAN Sign up to our Kildare Live newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know you can manage your profile, and explore all of the available newsletters from Kildare Live within your account.

The provision of extra stoma-friendly toilet facilities in County Kildare has been requested by a local councillor.

Labour Party Cllr Angela Feeney, who is also a member of County Kildare Access Network (CKAN), asserted that these facilities would help people with stomas and other additional needs to ‘use public services with greater comfort, independence and dignity’.

It follows after Kildare County Council recently announced that it would review accessible toilets in its public buildings and subsequently prepare a programme of stoma-friendly toilet upgrades.

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“The stoma appears as a small, moist, pink or red opening on the skin.

“Ostomies may be temporary or permanent depending on the underlying condition, which can include cancer, Crohn’s disease and trauma to the abdomen.”

She continued: “Stoma-friendly toilets are specially adapted restrooms that allow people living with a stoma to change their medical appliances safely, hygienically, and with dignity; standard public toilets do not meet the needs of people living with a stoma, forcing people to avoid public spaces, employment, social events and tourism.”

Labour Party Cllr Angela Feeney | FILE PHOTOGRAPH “While standard accessible toilets are helpful, they often lack the specific features required to change a stoma bag hygienically.”

Cllr Feeney further explained: “A truly stoma-friendly facility goes the extra mile by including:

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Cllr Feeney also said that a major challenge for people with stoma bags is the ‘hostility’ that they can sometimes face when using accessible or disabled toilets.

She elaborated: “Because a stoma is an ‘invisible’ condition, onlookers may incorrectly assume the person doesn't need to use these larger facilities.

“To combat this, venues are encouraged to display ‘Not all disabilities are visible’ signage along with official stoma-friendly stickers, which immediately validates the user's right to the space.

“Many people with a stoma face unfair confrontation when using accessible toilets because their condition is not visible; by understanding and supporting stoma-friendly spaces, you help eliminate the stigma and isolation that many ostomates experience daily.

“Accessible restrooms are not only for wheelchair users; they are for anyone with a medical need that standard cubicles cannot accommodate.”

As for suggestions to help those with stoma bags, Cllr Feeney gave the following tips:

In addition, she claimed that people have thanked the Maynooth Access Group for the provision of stoma-friendly library facilities in Kildare, with one woman saying that it had ‘changed her life’.

Cllr Feeney concluded by asserting: “These supports seem like small things but to the people involved they make huge differences to the quality of their lives.”