All women will receive the same level of allowance for post-mastectomy and hair loss products after cancer-related treatment, under plans announced by Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly.
Access to post-mastectomy and hair loss products has previously been provided, but with a degree of local variation as to the products and the level of the allowance provided.
The change implemented by the HSE will end this inconsistency while also ensuring that no woman already accessing products will see a reduction in access.
The programme has been allocated €2 million for 2025. It will include prostheses bra, breast prostheses, swimwear and wigs/hair pieces.
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Speaking about the announcement, Mr Donnelly said he recognises the challenges faced by many women during and after cancer treatment.
“I know that these products have an important role in the lives of many people and that reassurance regarding access to them is very much necessary, which is why I allocated further funding of €2 million for 2025 for their provision,” he said.
“I’m therefore very happy to announce that the HSE has commenced a plan to ensure that access to these products is fair for all women in Ireland who have undergone cancer-related treatment.”
There was controversy in February of this year when the HSE announced it was changing the scheme, under which women would be entitled to financial support following a mastectomy, whether they had a medical card or not. However, the effect of the change was to reduce existing entitlements of medical-card holders.
In a letter to cancer charities at the end of November, Mr Donnelly said he had been assured by the HSE that no woman would be at a financial loss due to the new arrangement, as it will be standardised to “the highest level currently available”.
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The Department will “monitor activity” under this measure to ensure that is the case, he added.
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