Background
The client is an independent wheelchair user with CP Diplegia who is able to use their adapted bathroom without assistance.
The client’s existing bathroom had been adapted to support independent use and included a WC, shower with shower chair and an Astor Bannerman ABW6SP height-adjustable wash basin. The ABW6SP had been in use for more than 10 years and had become an important part of the client’s daily routine.
After more than a decade of reliable service, the existing basin stopped working. As the basin had played a key role in helping the client maintain their independence, Astor Bannerman was asked to investigate the fault and provide a quotation for repair.
At the same time, a quotation was also requested for a like-for-like replacement should repair prove impractical.
Funding for the replacement had already been approved through the local council, with the project subsequently passed to contractors for installation.
Understanding the person’s functional needs was an important part of the assessment. Cerebral palsy affects people in different ways, and the impact on movement and everyday activities can vary considerably. In this case, the client is an independent wheelchair user who is able to manage their adapted bathroom without assistance. The assessment therefore focused not simply on the diagnosis, but on how the client actually uses the space and the level of independence they have achieved.
This is an important distinction when planning an accessible bathroom. The right solution should be based on what the person can do, what they need to do and how they want to use their bathroom, rather than making assumptions based on a diagnosis alone.
Project Goals
The primary objective was simple: to maintain and restore the client’s independence.
The replacement needed to provide the same functionality that the client had relied upon for more than 10 years, while working within the existing bathroom layout.
Key considerations included:
- Maintaining independent use of the bathroom
- Allowing the wheelchair to be positioned close to the basin
- Retaining independent height adjustment
- Working within the existing bathroom footprint
- Minimising changes to the established layout and routine
- Providing a suitable like-for-like replacement
Assessing the Existing Setup
During the assessment, several options were considered to ensure the replacement basin would continue to meet the client’s needs.
One consideration was whether to retain the existing 750mm ABW6SP or move to a larger 900mm basin. Although the larger option was discussed, the existing 750mm basin had been working well for the client and was therefore considered the most appropriate choice.
The position of the basin was also reviewed. The existing basin slightly overhangs the bathroom doorway. However, the client is able to manoeuvre their wheelchair around it independently. Moving the basin further along the wall would have affected the client’s ability to use the WC independently, so retaining the existing position was considered the best solution.
Alternative basin options, including the Astor Aquba, were also discussed. Following consideration of the available options and the client’s established way of using the bathroom, the ABW6SP was identified as the most suitable choice.
The assessment was therefore not simply a case of identifying a replacement for a basin. The existing setup was considered in terms of how well it supported the client’s established routine and independence. Small changes to the layout can have a significant impact on wheelchair manoeuvrability and access to other facilities, so retaining a familiar arrangement was considered alongside the equipment options.
This is where a person-centred approach is particularly important. A solution that appears preferable in isolation may not be the best solution when considered within the person’s whole bathroom routine. In this case, the larger basin offered an alternative, but there was no identified functional benefit that outweighed the advantages of retaining the existing 750mm basin and its established position.
Solution
The chosen solution was an Astor Bannerman ABW6SP height-adjustable wash basin, providing a like-for-like replacement for the client’s existing unit.
The ABW6SP enables the user to independently adjust the height of the basin, allowing them to position their wheelchair as close as possible to the unit.
For this client, that independent adjustment is particularly important. Rather than relying on a fixed-height basin or assistance from a carer, the client can position the basin to suit their wheelchair and personal requirements.
No additional modifications or custom settings were required.
The assessment also demonstrates why an experienced approach to accessible bathroom equipment is important. Astor Bannerman’s team are qualified Trusted Assessors and regularly work alongside Occupational Therapists, families and other professionals to consider equipment alongside the wider bathroom environment. Rather than assuming that a new product or a different configuration will automatically provide an improvement, the aim is to understand what is already working and identify where a change is genuinely needed.
In this case, the most appropriate outcome was a straightforward replacement because the existing solution was already supporting the client’s independence effectively.
Installation Approach
Careful consideration was given to the installation process to minimise disruption and ensure any issues with the existing installation could be addressed efficiently.
It was agreed that the contractor should be present on the installation date, as the existing basin would need to be removed to allow access to the plumbing and identify any issues that may not have been visible while the basin remained in position.
The boxing surrounding the pipework also needed to be removed to provide access for the removal and reinstallation of the basin.
Having the contractor on site at the time of installation meant that any issues identified once the existing basin was removed could be dealt with as part of the works, helping to avoid unnecessary delays.
Planning the installation in this way also reflects the importance of looking beyond the product itself. In an adapted bathroom, existing pipework, access and the relationship between fixtures can all affect whether an installation can be completed efficiently without compromising the way the room is used. Identifying these considerations in advance helps reduce the risk of unexpected changes that could affect the client’s established routine.
Outcome
The project has been planned around one key priority: preserving the client’s ability to use their bathroom independently.
By replacing the existing ABW6SP with a like-for-like unit, the client can continue using a basin that is familiar to them and suited to their established routine.
The decision to retain the 750mm basin and its existing position also avoided unnecessary changes to the bathroom layout, particularly where moving the basin could have compromised independent WC access.
The replacement therefore provides a practical solution that focuses on continuity, accessibility and independence.
A Solution Designed Around the Individual
This project demonstrates the importance of considering not only the equipment itself, but how an individual actually uses their bathroom.
Although alternative basin sizes and models were considered, the most appropriate solution was the one that worked with the client’s existing routine, wheelchair manoeuvrability and bathroom layout.
By retaining the ABW6SP and its established position, the project focused on what mattered most: helping the client continue to use their bathroom independently and with confidence.
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