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Dark scrubs and a change of uniform: a period policy that’s working

How one NHS trust provides practical resources and support for nurses to help manage periods at work, and encourages them to talk ‘openly, comfortably and confidently’ about menstruation
Photo of sanitary products, illustrating story about how one NHS trust's policy supports staff with periods

How one NHS trust provides practical resources and support for nurses to help manage periods at work, and encourages them to talk ‘openly, comfortably and confidently’ about menstruation

Photo of sanitary products, illustrating story about how one NHS trust's policy supports staff with periods
Picture: iStock

Dark coloured scrubs, flexible working and the option to go home and change uniforms are just some of the ways one trust has paved the way to support nurses during their period.

Nursing staff have long highlighted problems with managing periods at work, including coping with debilitating pain, stained uniforms from heavy bleeding, and a lack of breaks to change sanitary items.

Trust’s policy fosters open conversation about periods

The Christie NHS Foundation Trust in Manchester has taken steps to improve support for staff – and its ‘Menstruation to Menopause’ policy has proved so successful that it has now been adopted by other employers.

The trust’s partnership officer Gillian Hobson told Nursing Standard the policy had gone from strength to strength since it was implemented in 2020.

The initiative aimed to foster an environment in which staff could ‘openly, comfortably and confidently’ talk about topics such as periods and the menopause.

Practical resources and flexible working can support nurses

The Christie provides sanitary products in the workplace as well as a change of clothing. Dark scrubs are available on request and staff can go home to change their clothes if needed.

The trust also has flexible working provisions to help non-patient-facing staff to work from home if their periods stop them leaving the house.

Picture: iStock

‘Empowering staff’ to talk about periods with managers

Ms Hobson said the topic of menstruation was still too much of a taboo within parts of the NHS, and she highlighted the importance of having conversations about women’s health in the workplace.

‘I know there are some male managers who cannot even bring themselves to use the word menstruation,’ she said.

‘It is about empowering staff to bring it up with managers and, equally, providing managers with the skills and tools to have those conversations.’

Survey highlights consequences of heavy bleeding

A recent survey of 2,000 menstruating people revealed that 29% reported being left housebound because of heavy menstrual bleeding. More than a quarter (28%) said the bleeding affected their mental health.

The study, by women’s health product company Hologic, also found that almost half of those affected by heavy bleeding (45%) had to stop daily activities because of it.

The NHS defines heavy menstrual bleeding as needing to change pads or tampons every one to two hours, having periods lasting more than seven days, and bleeding through clothes and bedding.

Provide ‘regular breaks and easy access to toilets’, advises union

RCN professional lead for midwifery and women’s health Carmel Bagness encouraged nurses suffering from painful and heavy periods to seek help from GPs, practice nurses or specialists.

‘Employers should also encourage all staff to have regular breaks and provide easy access to toilets,’ she added. ‘This is particularly important for those who have heavy periods or any other issues surrounding their menstrual health.’

Support for female employees and people who menstruate is set to be discussed at RCN Congress 2023. The college’s council will be asked to lobby employers to ensure staff are supported to deal with health issues such as menstruation, menopause, fertility health, pregnancy and childbirth.


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