What happened after Patrice got her period at a public hospital

Patrice Lund arrived at a public hospital early on the day she was due to have surgery on her wrist in Brisbane in August 2019.

It was barely 6:30am by the time the 35-year-old had taken a seat in the waiting room, listening out for a nurse to call her name.

At one stage she got up to use the toilet. It was then she realised her period had arrived, early.

Because it had taken her by surprise, Patrice didn't have any pads or tampons with her.

Subsequently, she bled freely for approximately six hours.

According to Share The Dignity, a charity that aims to help ease period poverty, Patrice's story is a common one: "There is no federal or state legislation that mandates the provision of period products across all public hospitals nationally, which means it is at the discretion of each individual hospital to provide them". 

Patrice's story

When I realised what was happening, I went to the administration staff in the waiting room and asked if they had any sanitaryware, but they told me they didn't stock anything at the hospital.

I asked if they could speak amongst their colleagues in case they personally had anything in their bags. They didn't. I was then told to wait for the nurse and see if the nurse could help me.

So, I went back to the toilet and grabbed some toilet paper (as we who menstruate sometimes need to do) before returning to the waiting room and just sitting there anxiously, praying I didn't leak.

There would have been about 20 people in there at the time, so it was a wait.

When I finally saw the nurse, I was given thin paper underwear and one of those nighties to put on for the surgery.

I let the nurse know I'd just got my cycle and asked if she had anything I could use, and she said the same thing — that they didn't stock anything.

'I remember feeling anxious and mortified'

At this point, I remember giggling. I just couldn't believe they wouldn't stock pads or tampons at a hospital, in 2019.

The nurse then told me she could go around and look for an adult nappy, which sent me into hysterics.

But then she couldn't even find that.

Just before I had to walk to where I was getting the surgery, I went back to the toilet to put as much toilet paper "down there" as possible.

I also texted my sister to let her know what had happened and ask her to bring some pads when she picked me up.

In the next room, I was made to wait on a hospital bed for about 20 minutes.

I remember feeling anxious and mortified — not just about the possibility of leaking onto this bed, but also knowing that I was about to be going under for the 30 minute operation. What might happen in that time?

It was embarrassing and degrading.

When my sister picked me up, I was finally able to go to the bathroom and put a pad on, with one hand.

That was six hours after I'd asked for help.

'I want my story to help create a ripple effect'

Years later, I'm still in shock sanitaryware doesn't need to be stocked in public hospitals. It's just so ridiculous.

That's why I decided to share my story on social media a few weeks ago. My post led to so many people I know sharing similar, horrible, experiences with me.

I now feel like my story is so small and insignificant compared to what my friends and family have been through.

But I also think every story shared has the power to help more people out there feel brave enough to share their stories, and to help create a ripple effect.

People who menstruate shouldn't need to ask to be given the dignity we deserve in public hospitals — the place you're supposed to feel safe when you're sick or vulnerable.

But that's where we are.

A spokesperson for Metro North Health, which runs the hospital Patrice attended, has provided the following statement.

"Metro North Health is unable to comment on this specific instance, however it is standard practice to provide patients with sanitary products or an alternative if required.

"Patients are encouraged and reminded to bring their own toiletries when visiting the hospital, as an inpatient or for day surgery.

"The [hospital Patrice attended] does not provide obstetric or gynaecological services where these products would be routinely available, however these products and other toiletries can be purchased from the onsite store at the hospital."