Morrisons is to place male sanitary bins in its in-store toilets in what it claims is a “supermarket first” to support shoppers experiencing incontinence.
By rolling out the bins to all stores nationwide, Morrisons was meeting ‘The Bog Standard’ guidelines developed by Prostate Cancer UK and PHS Group to help support shoppers living with incontinence, many of whom may have undergone prostate cancer treatment.
Morrisons was rolling out the bins following feedback from customers, it said. It also has a broader commitment to ensure its stores are inclusive to all customers, which has previously seen it commit to making all of its store toilets “stoma-friendly” in March.
“We are proud to be the first supermarket to meet The Bog Standard guidelines in every one of our stores,” said David Scott, Morrisons corporate affairs director.
“By listening to our customers and working closely with both organisations, we recognise the challenges many men face when living with incontinence. Providing appropriate facilities across all Morrisons stores is an important step in helping customers feel more confident and supported when out and about, while also improving access to suitable facilities nationwide.”
‘The Bog Standard’ guidelines were developed as part of a broader campaign by PHS and Prostate Cancer UK. One in eight men in the UK will be diagnosed with prostate cancer. Among those who receive a radical prostatectomy, around 60% will go on to experience incontinence after treatment.
More than a third of men (34%) previously treated for prostate cancer say they no longer do a grocery shop due to a lack of places to dispose of incontinence pads, PHS Group claims, citing its own study.
The campaign ‘Dispose with Dignity’ aims to increase the number of disposal facilities available.
“Many men need sanitary bins so they can dispose of their used pads discreetly and hygienically – but often these bins are nowhere to be found in men’s loos,” said Nick Ridgman, head of support services at Prostate Cancer UK.
“It’s causing men stress and shame and keeping them from going out, heading to work or even doing the things they love.”
Ridgman hoped other companies would follow Morrisons in rolling out sanitary bins to male toilets.
“We wholeheartedly support the Dispose with Dignity initiative and hope to see the UK government supporting our call to change HSE guidance,” Ridgman said.
“This is the only way we can ensure men will have access to a male sanitary bin if they’re using toilets in public spaces.”
It’s the latest health announcement from Morrisons, after it revealed last week that it was adding cancer awareness messages to its own-label bath and shower range to encourage shoppers to check their bodies for warning signs of cancer.
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