By Lucy Ashton
The state our hair often sends out a message to others about our health and well-being.
When we are feeling poorly, our hair can look unkempt and untidy.
And when we are really unwell and our hair starts to fall out, some people confine themselves to the house.
They are often too embarrassed to go out in public .
It’s no joke then to have to acquire a wig and cover up your missing locks and tresses.
And more people who are ill or have been ill are doing just that to make themselves not only look better but feel better too.
It’s not just actors who wear wigs, as West Dunbartonshire MSP Marie McNair informed the Scottish Parliament this week.
She asked the Scottish Government what work has been done to improve accessibility to prescription wig provision for those affected by hair loss.
Jenni Minto, the SNP Minister for Public Health and Women’s Health, told her: “The Scottish Government knows that the provision of wigs is important to many people who have been diagnosed with various forms of hair loss.
“The prescription of wig provision is dependent on clinical assessment and individual need, with decisions made by clinicians in consultation with patients.
HSCP staff awards 2019 PIC SHOWS Beth Culshaw with Marie McNair and Kerry Begg
Marie McNair MSP and Health Secretary Jenni Minto. They’re “hair to help”.
“The Scottish Government issued advisory national guidance on wig prescriptions to all national health service health boards in 2011 and again in 2014 to allow them to deliver services that meet the needs of their local population.”
However, Marie McNair told MSPs: “A constituent of mine currently receives real-hair wigs but, given the advancements in acrylic wigs, she would like to try one of those instead.
“She has advised me that NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has said that, if she makes that decision, she would not be able to move back to a real-hair wig prescription should she wish to do so. That seems a bit harsh.
“Can the minister confirm whether there are any plans to review that approach to allow more flexibility in moving between the two wig prescriptions?”
Jenni Minto said this was “an important issue” and added: “I have had friends who have chosen to wear a wig and I have another who volunteers at the Beatson [Cancer Centre] and I have heard directly from them about the benefit of being able to access wigs on prescription, if wished.
“The current approach, which allows the change of wigs from natural to synthetic, is flexible. It is for NHS boards to implement the guidelines, and I hope that they take a person-centred approach to that.”