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

The study highlights significant regional disparities in wig provision for nonprivate patients with severe alopecia across the UK, as revealed by a survey with 73 responses from healthcare professionals. While 52% reported straightforward access to wigs, 33% experienced variable difficulty, and 5% found it impossible. The survey showed that regions like Scotland and the South West had straightforward access, whereas areas such as Northern Ireland and parts of England faced challenges. These findings indicate a lack of equality in wig access, contradicting the Alopecia UK Charter for Best Practice, and suggest a need for policy changes to ensure standardized access for all patients.