A mum has been left furious after a medical centre refused to let her seven-year-old daughter with a bladder condition use the staff toilet.
Claire Badby asked to use the facilities at St Chad's Medical Centre in Limeside, Oldham, after picking up Robin from school.
The mum-of-three thought the GP surgery would be understanding of her daughter's medical condition, which leaves her unable to control her bladder.
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Bu instead she was directed to head upstairs to pick up a key to the public bathroom she was stood next to.
"Robin was so upset and distraught," said Claire. "I'm literally at the buzzer, pressing it, saying I've got a medical card and she needs to use the toilet urgently and being told we've got to go upstairs and get a key - I knew she just wouldn't make it.
"I was only there a minute or two and then went to go try the shop next door but it was too late and she'd wet herself. Thankfully they let us use the bathroom so she could clean herself up.
"I think it's cruel, I get that we've been through this pandemic but when you're pleading with someone at the door there must be the ability to make an exception."
Robin has been seeing health professionals on a regular basis to manage a medical condition she's had since birth. A few months ago, one of the nurses involved in Robin's care gave Claire a medical card for her daughter, stating that she had to have urgent access to a toilet when requested due to the condition.
Her school have also been very understanding, allowing the youngster to get up and go to the toilet whenever needed, rather than having to wait to be given permission. Most shops have been understanding of Robin's condition too, with many stores in the local area allowing her to use their staff bathroom if needed.
Claire added: "We've never had anything like this before.
"We can go in shops like B&M and they let her use the toilet and the shop next door let us in too. It all just comes at once and as soon as she gets the feeling that she needs to go she just has to get to the closest toilet.
"The lady in the Spar was nice enough to let her use the toilet but you expect a shop to say no to you not a medical practice. I think that's what's more shocking. I'm just livid.
"It could have been someone in a wheelchair desperate to use it, surely they can make an exception? I think it's disgusting.
"If it was me I'd be really upset with myself for putting someone in that position. I don't think it should really have gone far enough for her to wet herself asking to use the toilet.
"She was crying at the side of me, whilst I was on the buzzer, saying 'Mummy please I really need the toilet' and then just apologising over and over.
"I was trying to tell her it's ok and it wasn't her fault but she was just distraught. I'm not a rude person but I really did get angry."
Claire has called the surgery four times since the incident on February 8, hoping to speak with the practice manager to have an apology or an explanation as to why they were not allowed to use the bathroom. So far, she's been unable to get in touch with the manager, and has asked for her complaint to be raised with the head of the practice instead.
Practice manager Gail Mather told the Manchester Evening News that no members of the public were allowed to use the staff toilet at the medical centre, as it was in a clinical area. She said: "I was made aware of the situation when the issue took place. The lady who came to the door was directed to the public toilet in the building and said she wanted to use the staff toilet instead.
"There's a caretaker at the top of the stairs who anyone can go to and request access to the toilet. We have one staff toilet in a clinical area so it's not accessible. Every one who asks about the bathroom is directed to use the public toilet."
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