Quick Answer
For Crohn's & Colitis sufferers: Get a RADAR key (£4.50) for access to 9,000+ locked accessible toilets, and a Just Can't Wait card from Bladder & Bowel UK. 87% of IBD sufferers plan journeys around toilet access. Best locations: shopping centres, department stores, and train stations. Download ToiletNearMe to map toilets before you travel.
Best Toilets for Crohn's & Colitis Sufferers UK 2025
Who This Guide Is For
- ✓ People diagnosed with Crohn's disease
- ✓ People diagnosed with ulcerative colitis
- ✓ Those with other forms of IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease)
- ✓ Carers and family members supporting IBD patients
- ✓ Anyone experiencing urgent bowel symptoms
Crohn's & Colitis: UK Statistics
Source: Crohn's & Colitis UK
Understanding IBD Toilet Needs
Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis cause urgent, frequent, and unpredictable bowel movements. Unlike IBS, IBD involves chronic inflammation of the digestive tract and can cause:
- • Extreme urgency: Minutes or seconds to find a toilet
- • Frequency: 10-20+ toilet visits per day during flares
- • Unpredictability: Symptoms can strike without warning
- • Incontinence: 75% of IBD sufferers have experienced this
- • Fatigue: Making toilet access even more critical
This is why 86% of people with Crohn's or Colitis say toilet access significantly impacts their lives, and many avoid going out during flare-ups.
Essential Tools for IBD Sufferers
| Tool | Cost | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| RADAR Key (NKS) | £4.50 | Opens 9,000+ locked accessible toilets - essential for urgent access |
| Just Can't Wait Card | ~£5 | Discreetly explains your condition to businesses |
| Crohn's & Colitis UK Card | Free (members) | Medical card specifically for IBD patients |
| Emergency Kit | ~£15-25 | Wipes, spare clothes, medication, disposal bags |
| ToiletNearMe App | Free | Real-time toilet finder with accessibility filters |
Best Toilet Locations for IBD (Ranked)
🥇 Tier 1: Most Reliable
- Shopping Centres: Westfield, intu, Bluewater - multiple toilet blocks, often RADAR accessible
- Department Stores: John Lewis, M&S, Debenhams - clean, multiple cubicles, no purchase needed
- Major Train Stations: Usually have attended or RADAR-accessible facilities
- Hospitals/Clinics: Always accessible, no questions asked
🥈 Tier 2: Very Good
- Large Supermarkets: Tesco Extra, Sainsbury's - usually near entrance
- Motorway Services: Moto, Welcome Break, Roadchef - always available 24/7
- Libraries: Free access during opening hours
- Community Toilet Scheme: Local businesses offering free access
🥉 Tier 3: Backup Options
- Hotels: Lobby toilets usually accessible to non-guests
- Museums/Galleries: Free entry venues often have good facilities
- Fast Food: McDonald's, Costa - usually allow access
⚠️ Less Reliable
- Council Public Toilets: Many closed, variable hours, poor maintenance
- Small Shops/Cafés: May refuse access or require purchase
- Parks: Often closed seasonally or in evenings
For Those with Stomas
Around 20% of people with Crohn's or Colitis have a stoma (colostomy, ileostomy, or urostomy). Stoma bag changes require specific facilities:
- • Hooks: To hang clothes while changing
- • Shelf: Clean surface for supplies
- • Mirror: To see the stoma (ideally full-length)
- • Disposal bin: For used bags (in the cubicle)
- • Sink: Within the cubicle for washing
Changing Places toilets often have these features. See our Changing Places guide for locations.
Dealing with Toilet Discrimination
1 in 2 people with Crohn's or Colitis report experiencing discrimination when using accessible toilets, with over 60% facing verbal or physical abuse.
Know Your Rights:
- • IBD is a disability under the Equality Act 2010
- • You have every right to use accessible toilets
- • Carry your Just Can't Wait or Crohn's & Colitis UK card
- • You don't need to justify your condition to anyone
- • Report discrimination to Crohn's & Colitis UK
Frequently Asked Questions
Do people with Crohn's or Colitis qualify for a RADAR key?
Yes. You can apply for a RADAR key from Disability Rights UK for £4.50. You don't need to be registered disabled - Crohn's and Colitis qualify as conditions requiring urgent toilet access. The key opens over 9,000 locked accessible toilets across the UK.
Can I use accessible toilets with IBD?
Absolutely. Accessible toilets are for anyone with a disability or medical condition, not just wheelchair users. Under the Equality Act 2010, IBD is recognised as a disability when it substantially affects daily activities. Many accessible toilets now have signs acknowledging "hidden disabilities".
What should I do during a flare-up?
During flare-ups: Plan routes with multiple toilet stops, stick to "Tier 1" locations, always carry your emergency kit, use your RADAR key, and don't be afraid to ask staff for access. Many IBD sufferers find it helpful to contact venues in advance to confirm toilet availability.
Support Resources
Crohn's & Colitis UK
Helpline: 0300 222 5700
Membership includes medical cards and support
Bladder & Bowel UK
Order Just Can't Wait cards
www.bladderandbowel.org
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