To complain about this?

[AfterAllTh1sTime]

I work in a very very busy hospital department. We share toilet facilities with technically 2 other departments or at least they are able to use ours out of maybe 100 staff using the faculties maybe 30
Are men, mostly surgeons

. In our department we have 3 toilets, one by the entrance to the department and 2 at the end of our department 1 'female' and 1 'male' . I work in a hospital theatre department, if we need to use the loo it is expected we will use either the male or female loos. It's just a sign on the door it's not an issue.. or it wasn't!

2 weeks ago the loo seat in the male toilets broke (fell off) and was reported to the hospital estates team and they said they wouldn't be rushing to fix it as there is no urgent need because it is a 'designated male toilet' and there is not a big need for a loo seat. This now means that about 50 women are waiting to use 2 toilets in between cases. I know it's not a massive issue but when we're dealing with all the stress of covid it feels a lot. I have deliberately stopped drinking at work now as there Isn't time to queue for the loo.

Aibu to think this is unacceptable ?

Yanbu. Even if it was just men - they will want to sit at some point to do no2. Unless the squat hover?!
Not drinking is going to cause you other issues at some point too. Even if it’s ‘just’ a headache.

It just feels like yet another thing to have to fight. The toilet at the entrance to our dept is regularly used by people having a dump and gets blocked up. So at the moment there is 1 toilet for women to use, and I only get 10 mins between cases where all the other staff are also running to the loo. If that 1 loo is full we have to walk round the corner, down 3 flights of stairs, down another corridor and then down another flight of stairs to use that toilet. And I don't know anyone who has that much time.

I'm very tempted to speak to the rcn rep about it. I know it's not a big issue but when time is limited it feels like a big thing!

I'd speak to someone about it. What is a man needs a poo? Do they want them to squat?

@EatTheHamTina yes! Exactly!! It's awful! Not just for the women but I can't imagine that surgeons living off coffee don't need to poo at some point in the day!! I'm going to tackle this. We're already over worked with covid and not getting breaks. This is too much

I think a GoFundMe campaign might be required, it might embarrass them into doing something?

Another dramatic option is have a whip round and buy a really non standard loo seat (pink?!) and get someone to fit it? Which would solve your problem and make a point.

Union is probably more sensible way to go. What about letting Hospital Friends know? I bet they would be sad to hear this is affecting NHS staff welfare.

Get one of the surgeons to complain. It will be fixed that day!

If it was me I'd go to the local paper (anonymously if I was a 'lowly' member of staff and there was a risk of repercussions) - this is ridiculous.

I've spoken the rcn rep as my manager couldn't give a shit he thinks it's not an issue. I beg to differ!

Well done.

YADNBU.
My personal loo rage - day one in new building with unisex loos. Walked into the only one near where I am to find seat up piss all over the floor and breakfast rubbish (coffee cup and paper bag) thrown on floor.
Enraging.
Hope it gets sorted op.

OP I definitely don’t think it’s OK and I’m glad you have taken it further. Hope it works. I guess you could keep being late for things and say it was down to having to wait for a clean toilet to be available? Also surely it is a health and safety issue!

@HeronLanyon what is wrong with people?!!

Good to see you’ve got in touch with RCN Rep. This might help in the meantime...

www.hse.gov.uk/contact/faqs/toilets.htm