Charity pushes for period funding at ‘barbaric’ hospitals

Women rushed to hospital are being left embarrassed and empty-handed, or offered poor substitutes for their requirements, because of the “barbaric” situation in Queensland hospitals, a charity says as it pushes for an urgent fix to the issue.

Women rushed to hospital are being left embarrassed and empty-handed, or offered incontinence pads, because “barbaric” Queensland hospitals don’t provide pads, according to a charity.

Share the Dignity founder and managing director Rochelle Courtenay said it was “not acceptable” that women could get codeine or a CAT scan, but were on their own if they got their period during a stay.

The call-out comes ahead of a meeting between the charity – which provides free sanitary products – and Queensland Health.

It also follows a Queensland Government commitment to provide free sanitary products to students at all state schools through the charity.

“It really is a lotto ticket as to which hospital you turn up because they are all directed by their own funding,” Ms Courtney said.

“They (QH) don’t even know which hospitals give access to sanitary items because there’s no reporting system,

“For the most part it’s those incredible, selfless nurses who are saying ‘here you go’ or women simply having to go without.

“The fact you can get a CAT scan and codeine in hospital but if you get your period, you might not be able to get a pad – it’s not acceptable.”

Ms Courtenary said Share the Dignity will meet with Queensland Health in the coming weeks to discuss funding.

But The Courier-Mail understands it is standard practice for hospitals to provide sanitary products to patients who need them, and people are also encouraged to bring the toiletries they need where possible.

“That’s really our big push to get sanitary items into all hospitals especially now that NSW has mandated access across all hospitals within the state,” Ms Courtenary said.

Ms Courtenay said it is “not acceptable” for women to be offered an incontinence diaper over a pad.

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“You would just expect that should you get your period in hospital – you could be offered a pad not an incontinence diaper,” she said.

“I understand when people go into hospital and they are having a baby that’s a planned event – you should bring your own products if you can afford them but we have now collected hundreds of responses from people who have turned up to hospital after car accidents, had their appendix out or lost a baby.”

It follows the Palaszuk government’s announcement of a $13.3 million investment in the upcoming state budget for state schools to receive a Dignity Vending Machine.

Ms Courtenay said this is the first time the government has “actually paid for sanitary items”.

“We have been rolling out free sanitary items for years but we are a small charity – our funding comes from people who passionately believe people shouldn’t go without the very basic essentials,” she said.

“So for the Education Department to come on board and put some money behind us is incredible.”

Health Consumers Queensland CEO Melissa Fox said “it shouldn’t be a postcode lottery as to whether you receive a sanitary item if needed while receiving care in Queensland hospital or health service”.

“Just as meals and hospital gowns are standard to meet the needs of patients, so too should the provision of tampons and pads.”

Health Consumers Queensland chief executive Melissa Fox said “it shouldn’t be a postcode lottery as to whether you receive a sanitary item if needed while receiving care in Queensland hospital or health service”.

“Just as meals and hospital gowns are standard to meet the needs of patients, so too should the provision of tampons and pads,” she said.