NHS bosses in Ayrshire and Arran are facing calls to deliver Period Dignity for NHS patients, visitors and staff.

The demand has come from the Unite the Union branch at the health board who have held Period Dignity - the union’s national campaign for better access to sanitary products - events in Ayrshire hospitals in recent weeks gathering hundreds of signatures in support of their campaign.

Unite have welcomed the progress to date but are demanding that sanitary products are made available in all NHS toilets, mirroring the pioneering commitment delivered by North Ayrshire Council who have led the way on access to sanitary products.

Last year, the council became the first in the UK to provide free sanitary products in all of its secondary schools and in the first year pupils benefitted from 13,000 products. In August this year the council extended its scheme to include the provision of free sanitary products in all of its public buildings.

North Ayrshire Council Leader Joe Cullinane said: “That patients in NHS hospitals were not guaranteed access to sanitary products was not good enough and I therefore welcome the confirmation from NHS Ayrshire and Arran that sanitary products will now be available for patient use in all local hospitals.”

Professor Hazel Borland, Nurse Director, said: “NHS Ayrshire & Arran is clear that access to free sanitary products in hospitals supports equality, dignity and rights for those who menstruate. We provide free sanitary products for patients in our hospitals and aim to ensure that appropriate stocks of sanitary products are held either on the wards or close by, and are available to patients when required.

“Sanitary products are available in our hospital shops, and vending machines are available in some of our toilets for visitors and staff.”