Press Release: Friday 27 December 2024
Minister for Health announces implementation of €2 million plan to standardise access to post-mastectomy and hair loss products
The Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, has today announced the implementation of plans to ensure that all women, receive the same level of allowance for post-mastectomy and hair loss products after cancer-related treatment, following funding allocations of €1 million for 2024 and €2 million for 2025.
There will be no reduction to the current service provided to anyone and access is provided regardless of medical card eligibility. Today’s announcement provides much-needed clarity and reassurance to women who require access to such products, regardless of where in Ireland they live.
Minister Donnelly said:
“I recognise 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.
“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.”
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, now implemented by the HSE, will end any such inconsistency while also ensuring that no woman already currently accessing products will see a reduction in access.