Thursday, 1 August 2024

Questions without notice and ministers statements

Women’s health services

Georgie PURCELL, Ingrid STITT
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Women’s health services

Georgie PURCELL (Northern Victoria) (12:09): (598) My question is for the minister representing the Minister for Health. Share the Dignity recently completed their 2024 Bloody Big Survey, putting together the most comprehensive report on the experiences and attitudes towards menstruation. Despite more than half the population having periods, they remain a taboo subject. Bleeding is natural and happens to many of us every single month, yet some hospitals in this state do not even have supply of period products to provide to their patients. This perfectly encapsulates the lack of support women and menstruating people experience, with their bodily functions not even being accommodated in certain hospitals. How many hospitals in Victoria have government-funded period products available?

Ingrid STITT (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Mental Health, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Multicultural Affairs) (12:10): I thank Ms Purcell for her question. I know that the Minister for Health is very focused on women’s health, and I am sure she will provide you with a written answer in accordance with the standing orders.

Georgie PURCELL (Northern Victoria) (12:10): Thank you, Minister, for referring that on. Patients can access bandaids and all levels of painkillers in hospitals, yet they are not guaranteed to have access to period products. They are sometimes left to free-bleed while they are already in a vulnerable, sick or painful state in hospital. Share the Dignity has stepped up in place of the state government, using its own fundraising to fund period products in both public and private hospitals in Victoria. Will the minister advocate to the federal government for a mandate to ensure period products are supplied in hospitals in Victoria?

Ingrid STITT (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Mental Health, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Multicultural Affairs) (12:10): Thank you, Ms Purcell, for your supplementary. I will provide that to the minister for a written response also.

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