Provision of Free Period Products

30th June 2025

The Department of Health has directed Health and Social Care (HSC) Trusts to provide period products free of charge on their premises in accordance with the “Period Products (Free Provision) Act (Northern Ireland) 2022” – referred to as the Act. This written statement relates to Belfast Trust’s implementation of this Act by providing period products free of charge in the most effective and cost-efficient way across our sites, in line with a regional commitment from all Health and Social Care Trusts in Northern Ireland.

Consultation

A regional engagement exercise was undertaken by all HSC Trusts and took place from 18 November 2024 until Tuesday 31 December 2024. The form of the engagement exercise was a confidential survey which invited views from a wide range of stakeholders, including patients and service users, carers, staff and the general public. The confidential survey explored a range of topics relating covering different types of period products that could be made available, and preferred methods to obtain (and locations to access) the products and if respondents felt that providing the products free of charge would be of benefit. A total of 2,665 responses were received by all HSC Trusts as an outcome of the engagement exercise.

Feedback from the outcome of the engagement survey has been used to shape how the Trust implements the requirements of the Act. There was overall support for the provision of free period products along with the sentiment that the Trust should also ensure ‘value for money’ where possible.

Arrangements for provision

The Trust is fully committed to providing period products in a way that respects the dignity, privacy and confidentiality of those who need them.
Consideration will be given to ensure the products are easy to access, in a variety of locations. In line with feedback received following consultation, it is intended that the products will be available in central female or gender neutral bathrooms as well as central accessible/adapted toilets/bathrooms and in inpatient wards upon request.

The Trust will make every effort to make period products available, free of charge, for all who use them. It is important to acknowledge however that, at this time, there is no funding allocated for provision of the products and as such, provision will be funded from existing resources if and when available. The Trust will implement on a pilot scale as an initial phase (in centralised locations with the highest footfall/attendance rates/public access), which are:

Royal Victoria Hospital, Main Hospital Reception
Belfast City Hospital, Tower Block Reception,
Musgrave Park Hospital, Withers Main Reception
Mater Infirmorum Hospital, Main Atrium Entrance.

A further rollout across all Trust facilities which includes approximately 300 buildings or potential locations. Implementation is expected to commence by June 2025 in the initial phase and continue on a roll out basis across Trust facilities as appropriate and within available resources. This will be kept under review.

Department of Health N.I. Guidance

The Trust has taken Department of Health Guidance into account during the planning stages and will continue to do so during implementation and monitoring. The Guidance has also been useful in providing direction regarding consultation with service users, carers, staff and the wider public. An equality screening has also been conducted to ensure equality and human rights are core to its implementation and this will be subject to ongoing monitoring for any impact.

The Trust welcomes the provision of free period products as part of a regional commitment from all HSC organisations to implement the Period Products (Free Provision) Act (Northern Ireland).

Health Information on Period on Period Products

Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is a very rare condition. It can happen when you use tampons if they’re not changed regularly enough . This is why you should: