Just can't wait !

Update I'm told the card is just to be shown and you should then be allowed into any loo even if they don't have a designated customer loo. Sorry for the confusion.

Thanks Kate. I sometimes suffer from urgency so it will be useful. Hope the people on the premises understand what the card means.

Yes Sal I will have to check it out when I receive my card. Glad it is of use.

I suffer with IBS so I carry a Can't Wait Card. But on the two occasions I presented it they didn't know what it was and wouldn't allow me access to facilities. Not enough people know about the cards for them to be really useful. I think the cards themselves need to be publicised more widely as lots of fellow sufferers don't know they exist.

Shopping today I had to go (quickly). I rushed into the nearest Costa and went straight to the only loo, which appears to be a disabled one anyway. Then I came out and went on my way. Is that very wicked? I think the staff were far too busy to acCosta me (see what I did there?) and even if they did what would they do? By the way I would never buy an over priced horrible tasting coffee there.

If I had a card, by the time I had the attention of a member of staff it would probably have been too late anyway even if they had any idea of what it meant.

I cant see this working, lots of smaller establishments don’t have a disabled loo, and the bigger ones have public loos anyway.

I think Grandma2213 has got a better idea, I’ve often done that with children.

Not that I’m not sympathetic, I assure you my bladder isn’t what it was, but like the last post said, by the time you’ve found a member of staff who knows anything about it, you could have been and gone

Dh has one too kate. Have you also got a radar key?

I have a card requesting urgent use of toilet but so far I have not needed to use it. Conditions requiring the card are distressing enough without having to have a discussion with a member of staff.

I've had one of these for some years, but haven't yet tried using it. As I understand it, there's nothing 'official' about this card - it's just something produced by the bladder and bowel welfare foundation. I had to pay a fiver for mine (I believe it was called a 'donation'),

On the back is a very tiny Radar logo, but what good that does I'm not sure - it's certainly not something you could scan to get you straight into the disabled loo.

What's needed is an official scheme, which shops and businesses can sign up to. Then they could have a sign in their window advertising the fact - a bit like the hearing loop signs.

In the meantime, most small shops will not let you use their staff toilets, 'Just Can't Wait' card or not, because they wouldn't be insured if a member of the public tripped over something on the stairs on the way to the toilet, for example.

It is difficult we just have one toilet at the shop I work in and we were getting all sorts of people asking to use it and leave it in a nasty state it’s also situated behind a small kitchen which has our coats and bags in So reluctantly we have had to say no to people which isn’t nice as you never know who is really in need or just not bothered to walk to the public one

I hadn't heard about the 'Just Can't Wait' card, but after being diagnosed with prostate cancer, my DH was given a key fob card from MacMillan(sp) that , in theory, should allow him access to a toilet in an emergency. He hasn't tried it yet, so not sure how successful it would be.

This sounds like an excellent idea for those in need. I'll pass on the information to a friend who suffers from IBS.

I do it all the time! (Not usually the disabled, partly conscience, partly cause they sometimes need a Radar key) but be warned some Costas require a pin number which you get on your receipt ???
I think I am so clever but I am sure they spot me every time with my vague” looking for a friend, is she through the back, meeting someone for coffee” look and then legging it!
Germany is so much more civilised, fair enough a 20 cent charge (or at least used to be, might have gone up) but restaurant loos open to all, usually manned (womanned?) with impeccable hygiene, flowers, even hand towels
Did you know that all railway stations are now free? No more turnstiles, rooting through the handbag for 30p or whatever in change?

I’m with Bluebelle I’m afraid, all our loos are are at the back of our warehouse, where a great deal of expensive stock is stored

We do occasionally break the rules for people, but try not to make a habit of it