Modern Slavery StatementSouth Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SCAS) is the ambulance service for Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Hampshire. As an essential healthcare provider, SCAS is committed to ensuring the wellbeing of its workforce while maintaining high standards of patient care.
Banner Healthcare has worked with SCAS to provide essential period products and dispensers for staff at locations across the region.
Objective
South Central Ambulance Service wanted to provide free access to period products for all staff members across multiple locations. However, in some locations, existing dispensers required payment, creating a barrier to access and potentially impacting staff wellbeing.
Solution
On behalf of the SCAS’ Women’s Network, Lisa Simpson, Health and Wellbeing Coordinator, secured a significant grant from the South Central Ambulance Service Charity to fund the ‘Period Dignity at Work’ project.
As an existing strategic supplier, Banner collaborated with SCAS to provide a cost-effective solution for period product dispensers at sites within the Trust.
For staff wanting a more sustainable period, the Health and Wellbeing team have also rolled out an educational initiative to promote and raise awareness about menstrual cups as an alternative to traditional products such as tampons or pads.
As part of this effort, a bespoke sticker was created for each dispenser containing a QR code linking to an information page about reusable options and an editable order form for a menstrual cup twin pack. This provided staff with discreet access to both educational resources and product ordering. The grant also funded 50 menstrual cups on a first-come, first-served basis, delivered to a location of choice to maintain confidentiality. Banner supported this initiative by funding the printing costs of the QR code stickers through our Bespoke Print & Communications specialists.
rk of over 400 trusted technology brands and offering of more than 6.5 million products, we were able to connect the customer with a wide selection of high-quality headset options. This included wired, wireless, and noise-cancelling headset models, suited to the customer’s diverse workforce. Our collaboration with specialist suppliers ensured that all solutions met rigorous standards for reliability, compatibility, and user comfort.
Result
Banner supplied SCAS with 46 period product dispensers, which were then stocked with essential supplies and strategically placed across the highest-populated locations within the Trust. This initiative ensures that 93.3% of staff can now access free period products when needed.
The new dispensers replaced any older models that required payment, eliminating financial barriers and promoting inclusivity. By providing free access to period products through dispensers and a QR code, SCAS addressed an important need while increasing accessibility.
Through this collaboration, SCAS and Banner Healthcare have not only improved accessibility to period products but also fostered a more inclusive and sustainable approach to period care for healthcare professionals.
Lisa Simpson, Health and Wellbeing Coordinator, said that by “Working closely with Jules Weaver, Key Account Manager for Banner, we achieved our overarching goal to ensure free period products are available to staff who need it. While tampons and pads will be available for emergency use at an office or resource centre, using a menstrual cup can protect you for up to 12 hours, which for frontline staff could be a game changer as they may not have regular access to toilet facilities during a shift.
By raising awareness and exploring sustainable alternatives like menstrual cups, we can continue to work towards a more equitable and environmentally friendly approach to period care.”
Learn more about our Period Product solutions by clicking here.