County welcomes new sanitary bins in male public toilets

[Hereford Voice]

Herefordshire Council is welcoming the introduction of new sanitary bins in many male public toilets in the county.

Sanitary bins are already a regular feature in women’s public toilets, but remain a rarity in men’s toilets, despite a third of men aged 65 and over suffering some form of incontinence. The lack of facilities to dispose of sanitary products can have a negative impact on mental health and wellbeing, with many men avoiding going out, resulting in isolation and loneliness.

Matt Pearce, Director of Public Health, said: “There are widespread and organised campaigns aimed at tackling period poverty, but relatively little attention paid to support men who have issues with incontinence. It is an important topic, with figures showing that a third of men aged over-65 experience urinary incontinence and 1 in 20 men aged over-60 live with bowel incontinence.

“The lack of support and infrastructure is having a real impact on countless men, but Herefordshire Council is ahead of the issue on this, and we are pleased to have been able to install these sanitary bins. They are a simple way to provide the opportunity and support for men who are affected by incontinence to live their lives without fear or embarrassment.”