A technically advanced total approach to hygiene is refreshing the parts
others cannot reach in one of the most scenic and remote areas of Ireland.
The grounds of the luxury Harveys Point Country Hotel, on the shores of Lough Eske and in the foothills of the Blue Stack Mountains, also include the private homes of owners Deidre and Marc Gysling and Marc’s brother Jody. Into the latter has been installed a Clos-o-Mat Palma automatic shower toilet, which, although no bigger than a conventional WC, includes washing and drying facilities.
Explained Marc, “Jody is a hefty man but like all of us he likes a clean bum!. His size meant it was difficult to reach certain areas of his body. The Clos-o-Mat automatically washes and dries, so personal hygiene is maintained without having to contort the body to use toilet paper.”
Robin Tuffley, marketing manager for Total Hygiene, designer and manufacturer of the Clos-o-Mat, adds, “If people even think about an automatic shower toilet, they associate it with a significant physical disability. Jodie proves that is not the case: a Clos-o-Mat can benefit anyone.”
The Clos-O-Mat Palma provides unique simultaneous flushing and washing,
which improves hygiene as the user is cleaned by warm water, not paper,
and increases independence as manual cleansing is eliminated. One simple
press of the flush pad (by hand, elbow or body pressure) or the remote
control hand switch can trigger the washing and drying process, without
the handle having to remain depressed, making it easily useable by all,
regardless of manual dexterity. If necessary, an additional push at any
time can repeat the drying cycle. The functions can be stopped at any time
simply by standing up.
Water can be heated as required, saving energy, and is controlled to body temperature with a ‘fail safe’ cut-out. The douching process effectively cleanses and the dryer provides a gentle flow of warm air for up to 3 minutes.
The douche arm retracts and self-cleans using the clean water supply to the Palma. It uses no chemicals, and therefore continues to sanitise the douche throughout the life of the unit, not just until the disinfectant reservoir empties.
Total Hygiene has worked closely with award-winning commercial design house Goodwin Design to produce a range of optional extras that enable customisation of the Palma to individual requirements and complement the unit’s modern styling, including integrated fold down support arms, lateral body supports, a range of four plinths shaped to match the Palma’s WC pan to enable the unit to be set at appropriate height for the user, to aid wheelchair transfer, a remote control or air operated hand or foot switch, a selection of seat options complemented by one specifically designed for children and three douche options.
The Palma is also WRAS approved, enabling hassle-free connection to the UK mains water supply: the only complete, automatic shower toilet that has this certification. It can therefore also be supplied for luxury bathroom use.