Hair stylist hits out at inability to bid for NHS wig contracts: ‘If I had a shot it would grow my business'
Individuals can access free wigs through Health and Social Care services but, since 2015, only two hairdressers in the entire region have been permitted to supply wigs for NHS patients, it has been revealed.
Wigs are used by patients undergoing chemotherapy or with hair loss conditions but, due to red tape, there hasn't been a procurement exercise for three years.
One Health and Social Care Trust said that the 'non-existence of a product specification' and the 'lack of national and international standards for wigs' is the reason for this.
It comes after a Co Down hairdresser — who has been in the business for more than 30 years and does not wish to be named — said that it is 'not fair' that the process for the tender is essentially closed to newcomers.
'Some wigs can cost up to £2,000. And if I had a chance of securing this tender, some of my customers could have easier access to wigs they're entitled to under the NHS,' she told the Belfast Telegraph.
'This problem desperately needs solved but the Health Department and the Trusts aren't providing a clear pathway on how to solve this issue.
'If I had a shot at it, at least for one year, it would grow my business and allow me to hire more people. But this means no one else gets a chance.
'A lot of my customers find that the wigs help with their confidence after experiencing hair loss. It's hard for them to cope; losing your hair can be a loss of your femininity.'
News Catch Up - Thursday 5 June
A spokesperson for the Department of Health said that agreement on tenders is based on a 'locally agreed criteria' through individual health and social care trusts in Northern Ireland.
'The Department of Health does not have a role in procurement of these services,' they said.
'Availability of such services is determined at Trust level and arrangements are in place to offer appliances in line with locally agreed criteria.'
The South Eastern Trust, where the hairdresser has based their business, however, said that since 2022 a procurement exercise to determine who is awarded the tender was stood down.
'The non-existence of a product specification and lack of national/international standards for wigs currently means that a regional tendering process has not been possible,' a spokesperson said.
'A procurement exercise in 2022 was stood down mainly due to a lack of a suitable product specification and national standards for the supply of wigs.
'This resulted in the procurement panel not being able to evaluate bids from a value for money perspective.'
The South Eastern Trust revealed: 'As a result, all five Health and Social Care Trusts (HSCTs) in NI are exploring the opportunity to reform wig provision.
'Legal advice sought back in 2022 indicated that due to current NI legislation and subsequent policy position, all HSCTs were limited in any changes they could make to how wigs were to be procured.
'Trust representatives, together with the DoH, have been progressing work to establish a way forward for the future supply of wigs, which will include consideration of procurement options by Procurement and Logistics Service and any legislative or policy changes required.
'In the meantime, all HSCTs have been using the services of one of two providers that had successfully tendered for the 2015 Wigs and Associated Products contract.
'A regional commissioning position on the provision of wigs across NI, encompassing cancer services, dermatology and psychiatry, is required to support implementation of any proposed change to the current process.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
3 hours ago
- The Independent
NHS launches major search for donors with rare blood types
The NHS has launched a pioneering initiative to identify and secure blood donations from individuals with rare blood types, ensuring patients receive "precision-matched" transfusions. This UK-first drive aims to mitigate the risk of adverse reactions for those requiring blood. Scientists have embarked on a large-scale research project, DNA -testing the blood of 77,000 donors to date. Blood collected from these rare donors will be frozen, creating a vital reserve for others with the same specific blood type. Crucially, this stored blood will also be available to the donor themselves, should they ever require a transfusion. NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) underscores the critical importance of precise blood matching, citing the intricate nature of blood groups, with 362 known types. The organisation stated that blood matching is "vital" given this complexity, highlighting the necessity of this new approach to enhance patient safety. This is the first time that blood types have been DNA tested in the UK at-scale, NHSBT said. Dozens of rare blood donors have been identified during the process and it is hoped the number will rise to hundreds. This means that blood from these donors can be used as 'personalised, precision-matched transfusion' for those in need. This can help avoid severe transfusion reactions – where the body sees the transfused blood as 'foreign' and rejects it. People who are particularly at risk of these reactions are those who regularly receive blood donations including those with sickle cell disorder and thalassaemia. Experts hailed the project as the 'first major step' towards rolling out precision-matched blood more widely. Dr Gail Miflin, chief medical officer at NHSBT, said: 'Taking these 77,000 donors and testing their blood to such a precise level has been an incredible undertaking and will work to significantly change the way we issue blood – especially to those patients at higher risk of transfusion-related reactions. 'We will be able to match to an increasing number of blood groups, ensuring that patients have blood that is most similar to their own and reducing the risk of any reactions. 'It is an example of just how we are driving innovation which can radically improve patient outcomes.' NHSBT's genomics programme director, Kate Downes, added: 'This inventory of blood will enhance our capacity to find units with rare blood groups for difficult to match patients as well as provide better matched units for patients who have an increased risk of transfusion reactions, aiding us in our mission to save and improve even more lives. 'This genotyping is a first major step towards rolling out precision-matched blood more widely, which would be a landmark change in how blood is matched.'
The Sun
6 hours ago
- The Sun
Fury as ‘reckless' NHS doctors WILL strike for FIVE DAYS this week showing ‘complete disdain for patients'
DOCTORS' strikes will go ahead after talks broke down between the Health Secretary and the British Medical Association. Wes Streeting said they are showing a 'complete disdain for patients'. 2 2 NHS resident doctors, formerly junior doctors, will walk out on Friday until Wednesday. They r efused to drop demands for another pay rise and are now locked in a stand-off with their bosses who have refused to cancel appointments like last time. And polling shows the public no longer back them, as 33 per cent say they support strikes down from 40 per cent in May. Mr Streeting said: 'The opportunity was there for the BMA to work with us. 'Instead, they recklessly and needlessly opted for strike action. 'After a 28.9 per cent pay hike in the last three years and the highest pay rise in the public sector two years in a row, strike action shows a complete disdain for patients and the recovery of the NHS.' The BMA's Dr Melissa Ryan and Dr Ross Nieuwoudt said: 'We were happy to discuss non-pay issues, but were upfront this is at its core a pay dispute. What we've seen is a series of 'noes'.' A government source said: 'The pay rise is not going to happen. 'If they were always going to say this, I don't know why they bothered negotiating.' Rachel Power, of the Patients Association, said: 'It demonstrates a worrying disregard for the toll this disruption will have on people's health.' Daniel Elkeles, of NHS Providers, said: 'We must ensure there are enough staff for all cancer, transplant and maternity care. 'We say to the BMA, 'Think again and pull back from this hugely damaging decision'.'
BBC News
7 hours ago
- BBC News
Male mental health facility opens in Derby
A psychiatric intensive care unit (PICU) designed to support men experiencing acute mental health crises has opened in Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust said Kingfisher House - a 14-bed facility located on the Kingsway Hospital site - is the first of its kind in the facility is part of a £150m investment by the NHS designed to improve privacy, dignity and safety for Powell, the trust's chief executive, said the opening of the unit on Tuesday was a vital step towards ending inappropriate out of area placements. Kingfisher House is part of the trust's £150m Making Room for Dignity is designed to replace outdated facilities and bring the area's six main mental health hubs up to national standards. Care closer to home According to the trust, prior to the opening of Kingfisher House, those who needed the level of support offered by a PICU had to travel outside of Derbyshire to access an appropriate Powell said: "Until now, Derbyshire was one of the only regions in England without a local psychiatric intensive care unit."This meant that men in acute mental health crisis requiring intensive care had to be placed in facilities outside the county – often far from their families and support networks."This not only disrupted continuity of care but also added emotional and logistical strain on service users and their loved ones. Kingfisher House directly addresses this gap, enabling people to receive the right care, closer to home."Alongside Kingfisher House, the programme's other two new builds are the Carsington Unit, 54-bed unit at Kingsway Hospital and the Derwent Unit, a 54-bed unit at the Chesterfield Royal Hospital site, which both opened earlier this parts of the project involve Bluebell Ward at Walton Hospital in Chesterfield for older adults with acute mental health needs, which opened on 7 January 2025, the Radbourne Unit, at the Royal Derby Hospital and Audrey House, an enhanced care unit for female patients at Kingsway in Derby.
