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Original poster

Can someone explain that business about sanitary products and hospital workers

272 replies

Ohmycron · 23/01/2022 16:43

I don’t understand why they just can’t take a big pack in in case they run short like everyone else does

Have I missed something.

OP posts:
Starynight282 · 23/01/2022 17:16

Seeline scrubs do have pockets. The tops do.

When I'm on my period I keep a tampon in my scrub pocket or I'll tuck a pad and a tampon into my sock (long socks with tight elastic). It's never been an issue you just have to use your initiative.

FFSFFSFFS · 23/01/2022 17:17

Why should women be having to use their individual iniative???

If that’s the case then why isn’t everyone required to carry around their own toilet paper?

What is the difference between this and toilet paper? It’s to deal with a bodily function?

Rupertpenrysmistress · 23/01/2022 17:18

I was not going to say this. I had a awful shift yesterday, was moved departments couldn't take a bag due to inability to store it, my period was really heavy. I needed to change my pad went to the toilet and had to use hand towels. I then walked the entire length of the ward to access a pad from the patients stock. I was mortified and worried someone would ask me to do something. I was unable to change it in time due to an unwell patient.

Tbh I just put up with this as it has always been this way but was quite pleased to see it acknowledged. True if it was a male problem it would be sorted. Also we only have 1 toilet so that is also a bit tricky.

CharlotteRose90 · 23/01/2022 17:18

What I don’t understand is that scrubs have pockets? Why don’t people put pads or tampons in there. I work In a hospital and my uniform has a pocket. I carry a pad on me every shift.

Whatthefucketyfuck · 23/01/2022 17:18

@Ohmycron

I work in a school where we are utterly awash with sanitary protection that everyone reckons all the kids need and take up is so minimal
But students/teachers and HCP probaby have their "favoured" product that they would rather use. But if, as above in the situations explained, they cannot access their own products, surely they should be readily available. Like loo roll it. And a way of drying your hands.

People have explained it.

And the PP who said "I'd tuck one in my bra"...some women can have really sudden flooding. Particularly if they gave gynae issues or the peri-menopause. Are you suggesthing they go around all the time at work with somehting tucked in their bra "just in case?"

It is not tee-hee funny.

Without a doubt, if men had period, period products would be provided FOC in all workplace loos.

Isthisprivate · 23/01/2022 17:18

I work in a school where we are utterly awash with sanitary protection that everyone reckons all the kids need and take up is so minimal
It’s not about how much they use, it’s about being able to access it. If you can’t have sympathy for a woman wanting to keep her dignity by not being forced to bleed through her clothes then I don’t believe you are a woman. It’s been explained multiple times to you, read it or clear off.

HerculesMulligan · 23/01/2022 17:19

@LuluBlakey1

It's the same for many workers- hospital staff are no different. Teachers, for example- can go from 8.45am-1.pm and end up with no break. Hospital staff have plenty of places they can keep stuff- most nurses have pockets in their top, or their trousers have pockets, or they can wear a t shirt underneath with a pocket. Or you can wear a tampon and a pad. It's trivial fuss and drama when there are so many much bigger things we need to worry about.
It's a distracting (sexist) problem with an easy, low-cost fix that would improve the working lives of a significant number of staff. So trusts should JFDI.
GiveMeNovocain · 23/01/2022 17:21

@Bigoakbeam

If I was on a very heavy period I would shove a new pad into the top of my tights or down the side of my bra or something, so I'm prepared for later on.
I'd have to have about 3 massive pads stuffed down my bra. Then risk them slipping out when I'm dealing with a patient/running around. Not everyone has periods that are easy to deal with especially as they approach menopause
megletthesecond · 23/01/2022 17:21

What is actually needed is more staff so they can take breaks. (I have IBS and wouldn't last a day).

Period products in the toilets is a poor second.

HerculesMulligan · 23/01/2022 17:23

"What is actually needed is more staff so they can take breaks."

Yes, but that will take years and significant funding (which this Government is unlikely to provide if it can help it). Whereas they could have sanitary pads in the loos tomorrow, for pence. You could probably sell advertising space to the manufacturers in return for free sanitary products.

MananaTomorrow · 23/01/2022 17:27

@Ohmycron

Really? Seems unlikely !! Surely you take a piss somewhere
Nope. If you read comments form HCP you’ll learn they rarely have a break for lunch or time to go to the loo.

They also often are away from where ever their bag is and ont have time to go and fetch sanitary protection.

Plus of course you’ll know about the period that starts when it wasn’t planned, leaking everywhere etc… some women experience too.

Whatthefucketyfuck · 23/01/2022 17:28

@LuluBlakey1

It's the same for many workers- hospital staff are no different. Teachers, for example- can go from 8.45am-1.pm and end up with no break. Hospital staff have plenty of places they can keep stuff- most nurses have pockets in their top, or their trousers have pockets, or they can wear a t shirt underneath with a pocket. Or you can wear a tampon and a pad. It's trivial fuss and drama when there are so many much bigger things we need to worry about.
Do honestly, really think this? Fuck me at the total lack of empathy.

Most women keep their sanitary product in this handbags. Or lockers. Bigger than a t-shirt pocket or stuffed down your bra.

Some jobs mean you are not near your locker or hand bag.

You are suggesting a 12 hour shift with something crinkly shoved down you top? WIth PPE?

Wearing a tampon and a pad does not protect you from bleeding through if you have having a heavy period/flooding.

Protecting yourself from TSS so you need to change tampons relatively regularly...how many tampons do you expect women to shove in their t-shirt pocket?

Fuck me. The environment, Covid, the economy, Boris are yes, all bigger things to worry about. Are you truly saying don't bother with any sensibly, caring, easy to do fixes because it is too "small" an issue?

Sideswiped · 23/01/2022 17:29

I'm really struggling to see why a genuine problem requires a tinkly laugh.
OP, no-one made you the arbiter of what other women's periods are like.
I'm not a nurse, but a colleague of mine had such a bad flood she had to go home and change her clothing. She didn't find it amusing at all.

OnceuponaRainbow18 · 23/01/2022 17:29

@Ohmycron

I work in a school where we are utterly awash with sanitary protection that everyone reckons all the kids need and take up is so minimal

How are they being offered to those who might need them? Maybe your school is doing it in a shit way and the kids are too embarrassed or you work in an affluent school

Whatthefucketyfuck · 23/01/2022 17:30

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-60081504 For anyone interested.

MananaTomorrow · 23/01/2022 17:31

@CharlotteRose90

What I don’t understand is that scrubs have pockets? Why don’t people put pads or tampons in there. I work In a hospital and my uniform has a pocket. I carry a pad on me every shift.
Of course…

I dunno but pockets isn’t the place where I would feel comfortable to have a thick pad or a few tampons whilst doing rounds.
Because you know, risk of falling from the pocket, people being nosy etc etc
Plus the fact you couldn’t use said pocket to put all the rest of the gear (eg pens …)

MananaTomorrow · 23/01/2022 17:32

@Starynight282

Seeline scrubs do have pockets. The tops do.

When I'm on my period I keep a tampon in my scrub pocket or I'll tuck a pad and a tampon into my sock (long socks with tight elastic). It's never been an issue you just have to use your initiative.

Yeo ever so normal to have a pad and a tampon in your sock….

I’ve seen most women doing that when out and about.

MissyB1 · 23/01/2022 17:34

@simonisnotme

Im not convinced that they are so busy all the time that they cant go for a wee
You are wrong and clearly have no experience of working in a hospital.
OverByYer · 23/01/2022 17:36

@Crazycatlady83

If HCP say they need it, then I can't see why they would ask for something if they didn't. Relative to someone's comfort on shift (which I can only imagine is bloody hard work to say the least), it seems a very small cost. So if they want it, I hope they get it!
This , bravo for you OP working in a nice office with Sanpro, toilets and time on your side. I used to be a uniformed, police response officer and used to have very unpredictable and heavy periods. I was once at a call, taking a baby into protective custody, when I flooded. I could feel the blood running down my legs into my boots. There is a new project in my force to equip Police cars with Sanpro for female officers for such incidents, would you begrudge that also?
MissyB1 · 23/01/2022 17:37

@Starynight282

Seeline scrubs do have pockets. The tops do.

When I'm on my period I keep a tampon in my scrub pocket or I'll tuck a pad and a tampon into my sock (long socks with tight elastic). It's never been an issue you just have to use your initiative.

I wore scrubs for years, they are baggy, the pockets are open. A tampon would fall out the minute you bent over!! No way would I want to walk around with tampons or pads in my socks - how fucking uncomfortable!
Starynight282 · 23/01/2022 17:40

MananaTomorrow why are you moking me?

Shitzngiggles · 23/01/2022 17:41

Such a simple thing to implement to make women's lives just that little bit easier. Yet there's women on here who begrudge that, just mind boggling. Obviously never experienced anything other than light periods so of course that's every woman's experience isn't it.

drinkingwineoutofamug · 23/01/2022 17:41

@simonisnotme

Im not convinced that they are so busy all the time that they cant go for a wee
13 hr shift . I managed to go for a pee twice. Twice all shift. We don't even have lockers in our trust. Our belonging are kept in our bags in a cupboard. So yes we can be that busy. And as for a lunch break. That's the time is use to write up my notes , while trying to eat a sandwich and a Luke warm cup of tea.
Starynight282 · 23/01/2022 17:41

MissyB1 I've worn scrubs for 18 years, it's never been an issue.

I understand this is a problem for some women that needs to be addressed. I dont understand why I'm being mocked for explaining what I do, it works well for me, never been an issue.

Octomore · 23/01/2022 17:44

Tee hee. I’d take a long walk.

You sound like you have the maturity of a ten year old.

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