My Monthly Matters - free underwear & period products in every public hospital

Did you know that women in distress are being denied fresh underwear, pads and tampons at public hospitals?

Shockingly, NSW hospitals are not required to give victim-survivors of sexual violence new underwear when they’ve had theirs removed or need a fresh pair in an emergency department. And too many women who get their period while in hospital are being given adult nappies, forced to use gauze, surgical dressings or toilet paper as makeshift alternatives to period products, or left with nothing at all. We’ve even heard stories of nurses purchasing these products for patients using their own money.

No one should have to go without these essential items – and especially not someone who is already traumatised and needing support.

What if it was as easy as getting these products at the push of a button?

The My Monthly Matters campaign, led by victim-survivors and backed by leading health experts, is calling on the NSW Health Minister to fund accessible vending machines that dispense free underwear, pads and tampons at every NSW public hospital.

These vending machines would guarantee immediate, trauma-informed access to clean, new underwear for women whose clothing has been removed (which is especially vital for victim-survivors of sexual violence), as well as consistent access to essential menstrual products. They could be located in an accessible space within bathrooms or on wards for anyone who needs them, which would take the burden off of frontline workers who are already doing their best in an over-stretched public health system.

This is a matter of dignity and autonomy. It’s also easy and affordable to roll out – it would only cost the NSW government $1.5 million* to install vending machines in every NSW public hospital. This is less than 0.02% of the NSW Health budget, and would make a huge difference for countless people across our community.

Toilet paper and water is readily available for hospital patients who need it – why aren’t underwear, pads and tampons?

Send an email to the NSW Health Minister demanding the government funds free underwear and period product vending machines for all NSW hospitals!

*according to costings by The Australia Institute

TAKE ACTION

Dear Minister, 
Did you know that women in distress are being denied fresh underwear, pads and tampons at public hospitals?
I was shocked to find out that NSW hospitals are not required to give victim-survivors of sexual violence new underwear when they’ve had theirs removed or need a fresh pair in an emergency department. And despite a NSW Health policy requiring all hospitals to provide free period products to patients on request, too many women who get their period while in hospital are being given adult nappies, forced to use gauze, surgical dressings or toilet paper as makeshift alternatives to period products, or left with nothing at all. We have even heard stories of nurses and health staff purchasing these products for patients using their own money. 
No one should have to go without these essential items – and especially not someone who is already traumatised and needing support. 
The My Monthly Matters campaign, led by victim-survivors and backed by leading health experts, is calling on the NSW Health Minister to fund accessible vending machines that dispense free underwear, pads and tampons at every NSW public hospital. 
Minister, I am writing to ask that you fund this important initiative. 
These vending machines would guarantee immediate, trauma-informed access to clean, new underwear for women whose clothing has been removed (which is especially vital for victim-survivors of sexual violence), as well as consistent access to essential menstrual products. They could be located in an accessible space within bathrooms or on wards for anyone who needs them, which would take the burden off of frontline workers who are already doing their best in an over-stretched public health system. 
This is a matter of dignity and autonomy. It’s also easy and affordable to roll out – it would only cost the NSW government $1.5 million to install vending machines in every NSW public hospital, according to economic costings by The Australia Institute. This is less than 0.02% of the NSW Health budget, and would make a huge difference for countless people across our community. 
Toilet paper and water is readily available for hospital patients who need it – why aren’t underwear, pads and tampons? 
Minister, please meet the requests of the My Monthly Matters campaign, and commit funding to roll out free underwear and period product vending machines across all NSW hospitals.

I would like to BCC myself

MY MONTHLY MATTERS - FREE UNDERWEAR & PERIOD PRODUCTS IN EVERY PUBLIC HOSPITAL