Free sanitary products not available in all hospitals

THERE is a “shocking” variation and inequality in the free availability of sanitary products for patients in Welsh hospitals, new research has revealed.

BMA Cymru Wales, which obtained the figures via a series of Freedom of Information requests, found that Powys Teaching Health Board was the only health board in Wales to provide free sanitary products to any inpatient who requires them. Four health boards provide free sanitary products only to selected patients.

The FOI results also show a disparity in the availability of sanitary products to buy throughout Wales, with some health boards having sanitary products available to buy at all sites and others only making them available to purchase at certain times.

Dr Philip Banfield, immediate past chair of the BMA’s Welsh council said: “Reliable access to female sanitary products is essential for the health and dignity of patients in hospital, yet these alarming figures confirm our worry that they are not always readily available for patients who require them as part of their basic human needs.

“Having sanitary products easily available to all inpatients and easily accessible by hospital staff across all health boards in Wales would save both patients and staff from uncomfortable and hugely embarrassing situations.

“Basic products cost as little as 1p each for a hospital to provide. Still, in 2019, there is period shame and period poverty.

“Period supplies are relatively expensive and it is unacceptable that there are still people who cannot access them, most often those who are vulnerable or on low incomes. Wales is already grappling with complex health inequalities – there’s no reason why we shouldn’t tackle one that could easily be solved.

“We call upon Welsh Government to join us in the conversation so that an all-Wales policy is shaped and implemented.”

Here’s how health boards fared when it came to free sanitary products in hospitals:

■ Aneurin Bevan University Health provides sanitary products in all gynecology and maternity wards, as well as in some of the general wards;

■ Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board provides them in certain areas such as children’s inpatient wards and emergency departments;

■ Both Cwm Taf University Health Board and Hywel Dda University Health Board only provide them to patients receiving gynecological treatments and surgeries;

■ Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board does not provide any free sanitary products;

■ Cardiff and Vale UHB have not yet responded to the request.