So I’m suffering with cancer and I have had my first round of chemo.  I was admitted a week later unexpectedly suffering with neutrophenia.   During this time others were admitted on my ward.  One being a high dependency patient who was very vocal about smoking and was freely and repeatedly give nicotine patches is varying doses.

I live nearly an hour from my hospital.  Like many women I don’t keep track of my periods and only ever have a rough  idea!  Chemo I was also told may stop periods.

Still in hospital after 5 days my period arrives.  I ask the nurses if I can have some products as my family aren’t in today and I haven’t see any toilet providing facilities to buy them. I’d forgotten in the rush to pack any.

I was told in no uncertain terms these are not stocked anywhere in the hospital and cannot be provided. 

Im not really sure what they wanted me to do?  Soil the bedsheets?

After many tears I was offered what can only be called a brick... you know the ones after you have had a baby! 

I was clearly very upset, one lovely health assistant found 1 tampon in her handbag and gave it to me.

My major point is how can they dish out nicotine patches like sweeties, which aren’t actually a necessity, and yet refuse to give out a necessary sanitary item for ladies even in the case of an emergency situation.

Maybe other hospitals are different?  Gloucestershire NHS Trust isn’t!  Help me change this. 

Provide sanitary items in hospitals throughout the UK.

Please sign and help me get this small but important item provided for women.