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Sanitary products in hospitals

(114 Posts)
Esspee Sun 03-Mar-19 07:37:36

I was shocked to read today that sanitary products are NOW going to be supplied in hospitals in England on the NHS.

Surely that is a basic necessity for women in hospital. Why has it not been challenged before now?

Anja Sun 03-Mar-19 07:40:23

Do you mean NOT?

Anja Sun 03-Mar-19 07:40:56

Oh I see what you mean. Ignore previous post.

Beau Sun 03-Mar-19 08:17:11

Why would you need the hospital to supply them? I can understand in an emergency but surely everyone else would bring in what they use at home?

sodapop Sun 03-Mar-19 08:20:28

It's strange how sanitary products for women have been regarded as almost luxury items with tax etc. It's good to hear things are changing finally, I read that food banks were also asking for these items to be donated. Its dreadful to think women should have to choose either food items or sanitary products.

Urmstongran Sun 03-Mar-19 09:03:40

Funny isn’t it what some expect from our NHS? I even think a small daily rate, say £2 to cover meals and drinks would be acceptable as we all have to eat at home!

PECS Sun 03-Mar-19 09:12:22

At one time we would all have expected such items to have been part of the 'care' . I remember when having DD1 I was not asked to take anything in with me to hospital but 2 yrs later.. different hospital I needed to provide my own ST.. but still nothing for baby. Money saving.

Chewbacca Sun 03-Mar-19 09:22:07

Why would you need the hospital to supply them? I can understand in an emergency but surely everyone else would bring in what they use at home?

This.

PECS Sun 03-Mar-19 09:30:00

Does that include food? Bed linen etc?
I understand the need to keep cost of running a service to a reasonable minimum. But hard to know where the line is to be drawn.

Bathsheba Sun 03-Mar-19 09:32:10

Clothing is a basic necessity, as are toothpaste, toothbrush, soap, shampoo, but I wouldn't expect the NHS to supply these essentials when I'm in hospital.

Forty odd years ago, yes, they did supply all my and my babies' needs when I was in the maternity unit, but times have changed, and I think it's right that we provide our own toiletries and sanitary products.

EllanVannin Sun 03-Mar-19 09:52:54

Don't the NHS supply incontinence products to those who are in receipt of them, or is it an agency who provides/delivers them ?

Teetime Sun 03-Mar-19 10:08:37

When I was a hospital nurse we always had a supply of sanitary products in the linen cupboard on female wards 'just in case'.

Nanabilly Sun 03-Mar-19 10:16:49

I would not expect sanitary products to be supplied by the NHS nowadays .why would anyone . If you know you are going to need these things then take them in with you or ask family to bring some in .

Gonegirl Sun 03-Mar-19 10:33:19

They supply toilet rolls so why not sanitary products? Practically the same thing.

Esspee Sun 03-Mar-19 10:56:05

Men are provided with razors in hospital if required - that is purely cosmetic as are shampoos, anti perspirant etc.
Say a woman is rushed to hospital on her period. She then has to ask friends and family to purchase these things for her. It could be very embarrassing. (Imagine a man happily picking up Tampons in the supermarket)
I agree that if one knows a stay in hospital is necessary then you go prepared.
There is also the poverty issue. Some families cannot afford protection. Apparently many girls miss school because of this. Hard to believe in this day and age.

gmelon Sun 03-Mar-19 11:03:52

Hospitals do supply incontinence pads.
This I know because the pads were used on me as the only option available in place of sanitary pads.
I was rushed to hospital in an area outside of where I live. The hospital staff saw fit to use incontinence pads for sanitary pads. In fairness they had no choice.
The embarrassment does not bear recalling.

EllanVannin Sun 03-Mar-19 11:05:27

Vouchers ? Like the ones for poorer families who use them for milk fruit and veg. Isn't this government run rather than the NHS ?

EllanVannin Sun 03-Mar-19 11:10:17

Why is there such a huge gap in those who have and those who haven't ?? When confronted with news of a sensitive nature such as this it's unbelievable in this day and age. Truly dreadful and shameful.

PECS Sun 03-Mar-19 11:13:35

www.facebook.com/bbcradiobristol/videos/788163194852145/UzpfSTEyMDE1MjM2ODEzNzU4NjoxMjg0OTUwODYxNjU3NzI1/

Telly Sun 03-Mar-19 11:17:31

They are supplied in an emergency, and I would imagine that most women would want to use their own. You have always had to bring in your own in maternity. The one thing I find odd is why this is a lead news story?

Eloethan Sun 03-Mar-19 12:05:06

I would imagine, in the case of elective procedures, most women would take in their own sanitary protection since everyone has different product preferences.

However, I do think there is a need to have a stock of basic sanitary towels because there are women who can't afford protection and who just try and make do when they are at home. Also, as has been said, someone who is admitted as an emergency case would not be in a position to organise such things.

Eloethan Sun 03-Mar-19 12:06:02

If it is true that other products, such as razors, are supplied by the hospital then I can see no reason to object to sanitary products being supplied to women.

EllanVannin Sun 03-Mar-19 12:09:05

Telly, the reason being is to highlight the true poverty in this country where girls/young women can't even afford a basic necessity !

EllanVannin Sun 03-Mar-19 12:12:11

I have no idea how much these things cost but in my day they were 1/6 to 1/11 per pack-------which is what they're worth ! 16p and 20p.

BlueBelle Sun 03-Mar-19 12:17:45

Men should supply their own razors and I BET most do most men are creatures of habit and would want to use their own razor
Why on earth do we expect NHS to provide Sanatory protection what else do they want to buy, - my knickers
Oh come on Gonegirl not many people carry a toilet round with them but they do carry protection in their bags The blooming cafe up the road gives you toilet paper but would hardly offer you a packet of Tampax Can’t we take care of anything for ourselves
Nothing wrong with having an emergency cupboard in case anyone comes in unprepareded and needs it but not automatically what ever next Free facials to boost your self esteem no wonder the health system is on its knees

Look after your own needs stop relying in others