Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire PCTs
Provision of Wigs and Hairpieces Policy Statement : Date of Issue: 19 March 2009 The provision of wigs and hairpieces is regarded as a procedure of low clinical priority. This service is therefore not routinely funded by the PCT. Wigs will only be provided by the NHS for patients meeting criteria set out below.1
Criteria to Access Treatment Wigs are provided for patients undergoing cancer treatment that causes severe hair loss. Wigs are also provided for hair loss due to a medical condition or treatment or following surgery. Wigs will not be provided for normal hair loss due to age including male or female pattern baldness. Type of Wigs Wigs are usually made from washable mono-acrylic material. Human hair wigs are not prescribed on the NHS unless the patient is allergic to acrylic wigs or has a skin condition that will be made worse by an acrylic wig.
Note: Patients who are not eligible for treatment under this policy may be considered on an individual basis where their GP or consultant believes exceptional circumstances exist that warrant deviation from the rule of this policy. Individual cases will be reviewed at the PCT Exceptional Funding Panel upon receipt of a completed application form from the Patient’s GP, Consultant or Clinician. Applications can not be considered from patients personally.
Approved by (committee) Date Approved: Produced by (Title); Review Date:
CAF/PEC 19 March 2009 Version 1.0 Commissioning Manager – Exceptional Funding Earliest of either SHA guidance, NICE publication or five years from issue.
1
Refer to North Bristol NHS Trust Orthotics Service Good Practice Guidance for details of frequency and number of wigs supplied, and charges payable for this service.
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