Autoimmune Alopecia Research UK, SC043538 is a charity based in Glasgow which works with people who have the autoimmune disease alopecia

 We are petitioning for a change to the current wig/hair prosthesis entitlement on prescription from the NHS for those managing alopecia.  Alopecia is an autoimmune disease which results in long term, often permanent, medical hair loss.  Currently there is no cure or effective treatment available and wigs are imperative to many for managing this disease.

The existing NHS prescription systems in Scotland, England and Wales are very different.  In Scotland patients with alopecia are entitled to 4 acrylics wigs a year or 2 real hair every two years.  In England and Wales it is very much a postcode lottery and there is no consistency at all in what prescriptions are given out. The suppliers of wigs on the NHS offer restricted choice and due to the increasing demand for hair extensions in the beauty trade the quality of real hair wigs for people with medical hair loss has deteriorated significantly.

The NHS suppliers throughout the UK currently do not cater for the more versatile and effective hair prosthesis on the market .  These hair prosthesis are more cost effective due to their longevity and also offer patients a better quality of life in terms of mental well-being.  As a result of the current system and NHS suppliers, patients who opt for these types of prosthesis to cope with long term medical hair loss are left to fund them, in full, themselves.  Wigs/hair prosthesis for  long term medical hair loss patients are not a cosmetic enhancement they are a necessity.  Many people including children are left anxious, unhappy & at times in despair over the limited choices, poor quality & longevity of the NHS provision.

 A better & more cost effective alternative would be for the NHS throughout Scotland and England and Wales to issue an annual voucher as an alternative to the standard prescription to patients, which they can put toward the hair prosthesis of their choice.

Alopecia may not be a life threatening autoimmune disease but it is certainly a huge life altering condition.  Currently there are no effective treatments for alopecia and the daily battle of this autoimmune disease often leads to chronic depression and anxiety.  The choice of hair prosthesis can impact dramatically on the patient’s mental well-being.  If this is not tackled early into the disease process additional costs to the government can be incurred through prescription of anti-depressants, sick leave from work etc

At a time of cost cutting it makes sense to provide a more efficient use of NHS money.

Please support our campaign to provide a more versatile & cost effective system.