END THE SCANDAL OF NURSES DONATING HOSPITAL PATIENTS THEIR OWN SANITARY PRODUCTS
NHS boards told they must do more
THE Scottish NHS have been told patients who have their period while in hospital must be provided with sanitary products.
New Health Secretary Jeane Freeman has instructed every health board to ensure “appropriate stocks of sanitary products are held either on wards or close by and that they are made available to patients when required”.
The move came after a probe in March found not one of Scotland’s 14 health boards have a policy for providing sanitary products.
There were even reports of nurses having to donate their own sanitary supplies.
Scottish Labour MSP Monica Lennon, who is campaigning against period poverty, uncovered the information through a freedom of information request.
The responses showed patients are expected to bring their own products, ask family and carers to supply them or buy them from hospital shops.
But it also emerged that nurses can be expected to step in to help in emergencies.
NHS Dumfries & Galloway said that in situations of immediate need “nurses would help by providing from their personal supplies” or “if necessary, nurses will run into town, using petty cash or the patient pays for it”.
Scotland’s chief nursing officer Fiona McQueen has written to NHS boards to demand improvements. Freeman revealed the move in a written parliamentary answer.
She said: “The Scottish Government are clear that access to free sanitary products for patients in hospitals supports equality, dignity and rights for those who menstruate.
“Executive nurse directors are therefore expected to ensure appropriate stocks of sanitary products are held either on wards or close by and that they are made available to patients when required.
“Patients should not be expected to rely on taking supplies into hospital with them or have to buy supplies from hospital shops.”
Lennon welcomed the development.
She said: “Months after my investigation revealed that NHS hospitals in Scotland have no policy on providing in-patients with period products, I’m glad that the Scottish Government are taking action.
“Legal rights to period products in Scotland are restricted to prisoners while hospital patients have none.
“The passing of my members’ bill on free universal access to period products would introduce world-leading legislation but to achieve gender equality, changing attitudes will be just as important as changing the law.”