Wigs and other headwear – A guide for people affected by cancer and blood conditions

If you are having chemotherapy:
The nurses working in the Chemotherapy Daycare or on inpatient wards, your clinical nurse specialist (CNS) or a support and information specialist can refer you.

If you are having radiotherapy to your head:
Your CNS, the Macmillan information and support radiographer, a Macmillan support worker or a support and information specialist can complete a referral for you.

The wig and scarf tying adviser will get in touch with you to arrange an appointment. During the appointment, you will be able to choose three wigs from a catalogue to try on. If we don’t have some or all of your choices in stock, the adviser will order them for you.

Once your selection of wigs has been delivered, the adviser will contact you and arrange a fitting session. The session usually takes about 30 minutes and you will be able to choose one wig you can take away with you.

Some people prefer not to have a wig at first, but change their mind during treatment. You may want to take a photo of your hair, front, back and sides, before starting your treatment. This can help you and the wig adviser choose the right wig for you if you have already lost some hair by the time you have your headwear advice appointment.

Appointments are available from 10am to 3.30pm, Monday to Thursday.

You can drop in to the Macmillan Support and Information Service to look through the catalogue before we have received your referral. However, we won’t be able to offer you a fitting appointment until the referral has come through.

Yes. We recommend that you bring someone along with you for support and help in choosing your wig.

Our wig and scarf tying adviser can also offer help, if you would like them to.

You don’t have to settle for any of the three wigs you selected. If you decide to buy your wig elsewhere, you can do so and you will be exempt from paying VAT for it (please ask the supplier for more information). But please be aware that you will be unable to use the UCLH referral to buy your wig anywhere else.

The current NHS prescription charge is £80.15 (correct as of April 2024). You can receive your wig free of charge if you:

• are under 16 years of age
• are 16, 17 or 18 years of age in full-time education
• have a valid war pension exemption certificate and the items prescribed are for the accepted disablement
• are named on a valid HC2 NHS low income scheme certificate
• are named on a valid HC3 certificate for help with health costs
• receive Income Support (IS) or income-related Employment Support Allowance (ESA) or Universal Credit (UC)
• receive Pension Credit (Guarantee Credit)
• receive income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA (IB))
• are entitled to, or named on, a valid NHS Tax Credit Exemption Certificate
• are fitted with the wig as an inpatient on the ward or in Daycare.

Please note:

1. Attendance Allowance, Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and contributions-related ESA do not count. This is because they are not income-related benefits.
2. The free prescriptions arrangement for people affected by cancer does not cover the wig charge.
3. Information relating to payments is for guidance only and is subject to change. Call 0845 850 1166 for the most up-to-date details.

When you come to your appointment, please bring proof of your entitlement to one of the qualifying benefits listed. For example:

• All pages of your award letter or
• Your valid NHS Tax Credits Exemption Certificate (card) or
• Your valid HC2 certificate.

We will need to make a copy of these documents at your appointment before you can collect your wig.

We accept cash, cheque or bank transfers.

Please make cheques payable to ‘UCLH Trust’ for £80.15. You will need to pay for your wig at the Cashiers Office on the ground floor of the main hospital building. Please bring your receipt when collecting your wig.
 

If you do not receive any qualifying benefits, you may still be able to get help to pay for your wig. For example, if your income and savings are low enough, you may qualify for help under the Low Income Scheme. This is a means-tested scheme where you receive help with healthcare costs.

To apply, please complete Application Form HC1. The form is available from the Macmillan Support and Information Service and the Cashiers Office, or by calling the advice line number below. Once completed, post the form to the NHS Business Services Authority in the envelope provided with the form. They will use the information on your form to work out how much financial help you might get towards the cost of your wig.

If you have already paid for your wig at UCLH, ask for a Refund Form HC5 (W) as well. Please keep the UCLH receipt given by the cashier when you pay. Please note that you will not be able to claim your money back if you have bought your wig elsewhere.

Help with Health Costs advice line:
0845 850 1166

More information is available at:
nhs.uk/nhs-services/help-with-health-costs

You may also qualify for a Macmillan Grant. This can be used to pay towards the costs you have had as a result of your cancer diagnosis. The grant is for people who are on low income and meet financial criteria specified by the Macmillan Cancer Support.
For more information, call the Macmillan Cancer Support helpline on 0808 808 0000. You can also talk to one of our welfare and benefits advisers or support and information specialists.

You can usually take your wig away at the end of your wig fitting appointment, provided you have paid for it or shown proof of exemption.

If you need to collect your wig at another time, you will need to show your NHS wig prescription form, your receipt of payment or exemption.

Our wig and scarf tying adviser can show you the different types of headwear available.

They can also discuss and advise on the different cultural and religious aspects of headwear.

If you would like alternative headwear, we have various samples that you can try on. We can also give you details of the companies that provide similar types.

You can book an appointment with our wig and scarf tying adviser who can show you the different ways of tying and accessorising your scarves. They can also advise you on suitable scarf materials and sizes.

If you are also coming in for a wig fitting, we will try to book the two appointments on the same day.

You are welcome to drop in to look at the wig catalogue, or for scarf tying advice. If you would like to choose a wig, you will need to have an appointment booked. This can only be done once we have received a referral from a healthcare professional.

• There are booklets available in the Macmillan Support and Information Service.
• We hold a monthly skin care and make-up workshop called ‘Look Good Feel Better’, which provides make-up tips for eyebrow loss. To find out more or to book, speak to the wig and scarf tying adviser or visit lookgoodfeelbetter.co.uk
• You can also find out more about the available support.

Macmillan Support and Information Service

Ground floor, University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre Huntley Street, London WC1E 6AG

Telephone: 020 3447 8663 or 07929 846856

Email: uclh.wig.service@nhs.net 

Website: uclh.nhs.uk/wigs