Provincial Court of West Flanders features 'Changing Place'

As the third place in West Flanders, the Provincial Court along the Market Square in Bruges has installed a "Changing Place": a fully equipped sanitary space for people with additional care needs. During the restoration of the historic building, a lot of attention was paid to accessibility. This was done in cooperation with Inter, the agency Accessible Flanders.

Earlier, the Feest- en Cultuurpaleis in Ostend and the Zeedijk in De Panne already realized a Changing Place in West Flanders. Elsewhere in Flanders, the Rector De Somerplein in Leuven and library De Krook in Ghent also did so. In the future there will also be Changing Places in, among others, the general hospitals of Vitaz (campus Lokeren) and Turnhout, the Heilig Hartziekenhuis in Mol, AZ Delta in Torhout, the University Hospital Ghent and Wijnegem Shopping.

Like many other Bruges neo-style buildings, the Provincial Court, the former seat of the provincial government of West Flanders, dates from the end of the nineteenth century (1886). After the provincial government moved to the borough of St. Andries in 1999, the Provincial Court in the tourist heart of the city did retain a representative function and serves as an exhibition space. In recent years, the old building has undergone thorough restoration, with a focus on experiential value. For example, it not only houses a Hofcafé, but also a Hofshop full of regional delicacies. From now on, Dutch-language guided tours lasting an hour and a half are also available at set times.

Part of the restoration was the installation of two new sanitary blocks with accessible toilets. A Changing Place was integrated on the second floor. In this sanitary space, recumbent care is possible. It is equipped with a height-adjustable adult care table, a toilet with brackets and a ceiling elevator. 

Persons with disabilities may use the space independently or with assistance from an attendant. County employees themselves are not responsible for guidance or support, as they are neither trained nor certified for this purpose. Elevator users must bring their own elevator cloth, with loops to hook it to the elevator. That elevator is one of the most general model in terms of design. It is operated by a handset, which is taken from the charging unit in the wall.

The nursing table is equipped with side rails to ensure user safety during transfers. "By using the table, incontinence material can be changed and intimate toilet or sondage can be performed. After the toilet visit, care moment and transfer, the handset must be placed back in its holder so that the lifting motor can recharge," explained Deputy Sabien Lahaye-Battheu. "Publicly accessible plumbing is a necessity for everyone. With a Changing Place, even people who need more space when visiting the restroom can feel comfortable going out. The provincial government shows here that beautiful solutions are possible even in a more difficult heritage context," said Wendy Metten, general manager of Inter.

In addition, four new passenger elevators have been installed in the building. The first is located outside, next to the existing, wide entrance staircase. It bridges the difference in height from the Market to the ground floor and takes into account the historic facade of the heritage building. The information desk on the ground floor level is submersible. The second elevator connects all floors within the building, from the basement to the attic, without compromising the original interior. The third elevator, specially designed for the catering wing, makes the courtyard easily usable for various services and activities. The fourth elevator is a platform elevator to the Buyck Hall, which could not be reached directly with the existing elevator.

A free center shuttle runs daily on a fixed route through downtown, providing a smooth connection between downtown and the rail station. It has a lowered boarding height, a ramp, a wheelchair space and a wide doorway. The stops are displayed and announced.