A FATHER has complained after he took his son to visit his aunt in hospital and claimed they were told they could not use the disabled toilets.

John Darbyshire and his 27-year-old son Ryan travelled to Royal Bolton Hospital from Lanark in Scotland to see Ryan's aunt.

When they arrived at the hospital after the four-hour drive, Ryan, who is wheelchair-bound with cerebral palsy, asked if there was an accessible toilet with a hoist.

But according to Mr Darbyshire, they were told that the hospital 'had no insurance' for members of the public to use the toilet with a hoist.

After a short visit to Ryan's aunt, the pair had to leave the hospital and use the accessible toilet at The Jason Kenny Centre in Moor Lane before going back to Scotland.

Mr Darbyshire, aged 57, said the visit, which was on Saturday, May 5, was "ruined by what happened but a spokesman from the hospital said they could not permit members of the public to use a hoist.

He said: "The hospital said 'we have those toilets, but are not insured to let you use them'.

"After eight minutes with his aunt we had to leave to find an accessible toilet. We were also visiting to have a look at the memorial garden as it is now 30 years since his sister died at birth and we were going to enquire about a plaque for her.

"It was devastating to drive all that way and then to be denied access to a toilet, especially in a hospital.

"It completely ruined the visit, the day, and the weekend and we did not get to go back and complete the visit to his aunt or visit the garden."

Mr Darbyshire called on the hospital to be "more empathetic" and allow visitors to use the toilet.

Heather Edwards, head of communications at the Bolton NHS Foundation, said: "The Royal Bolton Hospital has a number of public toilets that are suitable for disabled people although they are not equipped with a hoist, which is a specialist piece of equipment which should be used by a trained person in a way that is compatible with the individual’s needs.

"Permitting a member of the public access to a hoist on an inpatient ward could potentially be a risk.

"We are sorry that this gentleman was unhappy with the experience he and his son had, but believe there may have been a misunderstanding somewhere along the line which we would be happy to discuss with him."