wigs

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1

Hi ladies

Hair in free-fall and think its time to think about a wig ( bit late, i know !!). Am lucky enough to have private healthcare through work and have been told that I therfore dont qualify for a free wig on the NHS. Does anyone know if this is true or have any top tips on who I could contact for info etc ?

Thanks ladies

M x

2

I have PMI through work and I had to pay for my wig.

The free wigs on the NHS are not available in all trusts - some do, some don’t. The rule is that the free wig is only for residential IN-patients, not outpatients coming in for chemo. But some trusts offer a voucher towards the cost. I’m in a Simply Health hospital plan so I got half the money back that way as it is a medical appliance.

3

I too have PMI and didn’t have to pay for my wig - my onc gave me an NHS prescription.

Dx

4

I have private medical insurance through work and had to pay for my wig … wasn’t given any option … not covered on the insurance and as I was having my treatment privately, didnt qualify for NHS wig or allowance.

5

I live in Scotland but the same rules should apply and I would fight for your right to have a prescrition…If you pay national insurance then that automatically entitles you to a prescription…you have paid into this scheme and therefore it makes no difference if you then go onto use PMI…many businesses and companies use PMI over and above national insurance, so you are still entitled…I am a wig supplier and have had to fight for the patients in my local private hospital to get this…we have a macmillan advisor in our NHS cancer hospital and we put the private ladies in touch with her and she sorts them out with a prescription…all she needs from them is their CHI number which every one has, it should be at the top of NHS hospital letters or else your GP will have a note of it on your records…hope this helps.
Fee xxxx

6

It does seem unfair - we have paid in our income tax like everyone else and we are saving the NHS thousands by using insurance. I get mine through work - they pay the premiums, so it’s not like I’m a rich s*d, I’m on SSP, for goodness sake!

7

I’m not sure of the answer to your question. I’m being treated as an out patient and got the chit to go and choose a wig. I must say that I’m really happy with it. I was dreading wearing it and having my head shaved but the wig has knocked years off me…yippeeee!! Fight for the right hun as a NI payer…they are not cheap to buy!!

8

Unfortunately if you have private health care you have to pay for everything. I had private health care for many years and was sick and tired of having to pay for everybit of equipment which people on NHS got free of charge. This time I am on NHS treatment and everything is free although I understand different authorities have different rules.

9

It’s too late for those of us that have shelled out for a wig ourselves … claiming anything back is a big procedure and the NHS suggest you get legal representation … its so tricky!! Meantime, have just bought a long curly pink wig from ebay (china) for the wear it pink day in October and its fantastic and very cheap… well impressed!

10

Hi Angielav,
I bought one of those too!It arrived yesterday. I look like a candy floss Dolly Parton with uneven boobs! Actually, I quite like all those long curls.
I also bought 2 “serious” wigs from China on E-bay on Rexi’s recommendation. I’m pleased with those as well. All 3 came to not much over £30. One of them is identical to a wig for £150 from a UK website!
Well worth a look…

11

Slendabenda … lovin the long pink curls… and will defo order more and have also got a few hats which arrived today … only a fiver each … on internet … Everything5pounds.com

12

Well - my avatar picture is me wearing one of the new E-bay wigs from China christened Chi Chi by me (cheap as chips -£10.75 including air mail postage!)

13

Hi

I’m now over 3 years out from dx and feeling great. It was a different story when going thro chemo. When my hair came out the NHS wig was simply awful, I started looking online. The couple of wigs I bought off ebay made me look like Maggie Thatcher!! I came across Contrast Wigs and ordered one online. It was great. I had so many people say ‘where did you get your highlights done’. It boosted my confidence and made me feel good again.

I know when I was going thro chemo I was totally obsessed with my hair (or my lack of it) but if you find a wig that you’re comfortable with then you feel so much better.

Mal

14

Hi

I’m now over 3 years out from dx and feeling great. It was a different story when going thro chemo. When my hair came out the NHS wig was simply awful, I started looking online. The couple of wigs I bought off ebay made me look like Maggie Thatcher!! I came across Contrast Wigs and ordered one online. It was great. I had so many people say ‘where did you get your highlights done’. It boosted my confidence and made me feel good again.

I know when I was going thro chemo I was totally obsessed with my hair (or my lack of it) but if you find a wig that you’re comfortable with then you feel so much better.

Mal