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Changing Places & Hi-Lo Changing Tables: The Complete Guide
Standard accessible toilets do not work for everyone. Around a quarter of a million people in the UK cannot use a normal toilet and need space, a height-adjustable adult changing bench and, often, a hoist to be changed in safety and dignity. That is what a Changing Places facility provides — and a hi-lo changing table is at its heart. This guide explains the Changing Places standard, the equipment involved, and how it applies whether you are specifying a public building or adapting a family home.
What is a Changing Places toilet?
A Changing Places toilet is a larger, fully equipped accessible toilet designed for people who need extra space and equipment, including carers. It goes well beyond a standard Document M accessible WC. They are increasingly required in large public buildings — shopping centres, stadiums, hospitals, visitor attractions and transport hubs — and have transformed days out for thousands of families.
The Changing Places specification
To meet the Changing Places standard, a facility needs the core elements below. (For public buildings, design to the current Changing Places standard and Building Regulations; the figures here are the widely used benchmarks.)
| Element | Benchmark |
|---|---|
| Room size | Minimum around 12m² (typically 3m × 4m), with a ceiling height of about 2.4m for the hoist |
| Adult changing bench | Height-adjustable (hi-lo), large enough for an adult |
| Hoist | Ceiling tracked hoist covering the full room (or a mobile hoist) |
| Toilet | Centrally placed (peninsular) so a carer can assist on either side |
| Privacy | A privacy screen or curtain |
| Other | Wide paper roll, large waste bin, non-slip floor and an emergency alarm |
The hi-lo changing table
The height-adjustable changing bench is the piece most people picture first. Powered to raise and lower at the touch of a control, it lets a carer work at a safe height — protecting their back — and brings the user to the right level for a hoist transfer. Wall-mounted benches fold flat against the wall when not in use to free up floor space; mobile and freestanding versions are also available. Browse the Pressalit changing tables & trolleys collection.
In a Pressalit installation, the changing table sits naturally alongside the rest of the PLUS system, sharing the engineered, load-rated platform with shower seats, support arms and washbasins.
Changing tables at home
Changing Places is usually discussed in terms of public buildings, but the same equipment changes daily life at home. A height-adjustable adult or child changing bench means a parent or carer no longer has to change someone on the floor or at an unsafe height — a daily strain that takes a real toll over time. For families, it is one of the highest-impact adaptations there is, and it commonly qualifies for funding and VAT relief.
Many Pressalit Care products qualify for VAT relief for eligible disabled or chronically ill users — contact us to check eligibility. Lead time is confirmed at the point of order.
Frequently asked questions
How big does a Changing Places toilet need to be?
The widely used benchmark is a minimum of around 12m² — typically 3m × 4m — with a ceiling height of about 2.4m to accommodate a tracked hoist. Always design to the current Changing Places standard and Building Regulations for the specific project.
What is the difference between a Changing Places toilet and a standard accessible toilet?
A standard accessible (Document M) toilet provides a WC, basin and grab rails in a smaller room. A Changing Places toilet is larger and adds a height-adjustable adult changing bench, a hoist, a centrally placed toilet and a privacy screen for people who cannot use a standard accessible WC.
Can I get funding for a changing table at home?
Often, yes — through a Disabled Facilities Grant and other routes, and qualifying equipment may also be zero-rated for VAT. See our funding guide and VAT relief guide.