A young boy who was born with upper limb deficiency is finding his transition from home to school as easy as possible- in part due to the school’s attitude towards his toileting needs.

Daniel Tennant, aged 5, already has a Clos-o-Mat Palma Vita automatic (wash and dry) toilet, with a Rifton paediatric support over, at his home in Bathgate, West Lothian. His local primary school, Windyknowe, took the approach that, to feel like all his fellow pupils when he started school this term, and be as independent as possible, he needed similar there too.

Now, the same equipment has been installed- on the advice of Lothian NHS Trust Occupational Therapist Julie McGuire- at Windyknowe Primary School by Clos-o-Mat, and will be serviced and maintained by the company annually.

Looking like, and capable of being used as, as conventional WC, the Palma Vita has built-in douching and drying, so there is no need for the user (or their carer) to wipe clean with toilet tissue, with all its associated considerations of manual dexterity, balance. It also means the user is consistently cleaned to a hygienic standard. The Rifton fits over the toilet and is fully adjustable in both height and back support to securely support the child however big or small.

“Daniel’s left arm stops above his elbow and his right has a very small forearm with three non-functioning fingers, so the Clos-o-Mat gives him toilet independence at home and at school,” explains Daniel’s mum Stephanie. “Windyknowe has a reputation for collaborative working and using innovative approaches: the school has been fantastic in easing Daniel’s transition. As a result, he is enjoying school and feels like everyone else as the Clos-o-mat allows him to go to the toilet on his own, the same as everyone else.”

Clos-o-Mat (www.clos-o-mat.com) is now Britain’s biggest supplier of toilet solutions to maximise people’s independence and dignity, be it at home or ‘away’. Since the company was founded over 50 years ago, in excess of 40,000 of its wash and dry toilets have been installed in the UK, many of which are still in regular use 30+ years after first being fitted.

Clos-o-Mat is the only company in its sector that offers, in-house, full sales and technical advice, supply, installation, commissioning and after-sales service & maintenance.