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FORCE hosts wig fitting services for both of the RDHU approved retailers because losing your hair during treatment for cancer can be distressing.
Experienced technicians for both Natural Image and Browns More Hair Now advise on fitting and styling your new hair.
We also sell wig products like shampoo, conditioner, hairspray plus wig trees and a selection of head scarves and headwear.
If you have any questions about coping with hair loss, please call us on 01392 408535.
A cancer diagnosis doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll lose your hair, but some chemotherapy treatments cause considerable hair thinning and others lead to complete hair loss.
This can happen as soon as 3-4 weeks after treatment starts.
The FORCE wig service runs on a Wednesday from 10am to 4:30pm at our Exeter Support Centre.
Natural Image can be found at John Lewis in Exeter and hold a clinic once a fortnight here at the FORCE Support Centre.
Browns More Hair Now are based in Tavistock and hold a clinic once a month.
Technicians from both companies are fully trained in fitting, cutting, and styling wigs and can provide advice and tips about wearing and caring for your new hair.
To book an appointment at the Centre with Natural Image, please contact Teresa on 01752 480030
To book an appointment at the Centre with Browns More Hair Now, please contact Andrea on 01822 66034
Your clinic nurse will explain the process of getting a wig and generate a form to subsidise the cost.
They will also give you written information on the two wig suppliers approved by the hospital.
To start the process, you need to call the RDUH appliance officer on 01392 402128. They will check your details, issue you with an order number and provide you with the number to call to book an appointment with Natural Image or Browns More Hair Now.
The appointment with the wig technician will take up to an hour and you may be able to take your wig home with you that day.
If the wig needs fitting or cutting, this will all take place during your appointment so it might be a good idea to take a friend along for a second opinion.
If you receive treatment at the Royal Devon University Hospital which causes hair loss and have not opted to try the cold cap, the cost of your wig will be subsidised by up to £120 (including VAT). The appliance officer will advise you if you will be invoiced for the nationally approved NHS appliance prescription charges.
If you choose a more expensive wig, the difference in cost will be charged direct by the company and you will pay the additional amount to them.
If you are being treated at another hospital, you will not be eligible for funding although you may still see the wig technician at FORCE and cover the cost of the wig yourself.
FORCE has also reinforced links with the Little Princess Trust, which provides real hair wigs, free of charge, to children and young people under 25 who have lost their own hair through cancer.
FORCE is recognised as the South West centre for sufferers from cancer and alopecia – LPT works closely with a trusted network of accredited wig fitters to ensure that young people needing their support never have to travel far for their fitting.
More information about the Little Princess Trust is available at littleprincesses.org.uk