BH10 Unequal National Health Service Wig Provision: To Toupée or Not to Toupée, That Is the Question?

The study investigates the provision of wigs for nonprivate patients with severe alopecia across the UK, highlighting significant regional disparities. An online survey conducted with 73 responses from dermatology professionals revealed that while 52% found wig provision straightforward, 33% reported variable difficulty, and 5% found it impossible. The survey showed that access to wigs varied widely, with all respondents from Scotland and the South West finding it straightforward, whereas those from Northern Ireland reported difficulties. The findings underscore a lack of equality in wig access, contradicting the Alopecia UK Charter for Best Practice for Wigs Provision, and suggest a need for policy changes to ensure standardized access for all patients.