Wig and scarf tying advice

For wig advice, your nurse, doctor or a support and information specialist can refer you. Once we receive your referral our adviser will call you to arrange an appointment. 

You do not need an appointment for scarf tying or headwear advice. Just drop-in to the Macmillan Support and Information Service and ask to speak to Nicola, our wig and scarf tying adviser. Please call us on 020 3447 8663 to check if Nicola is working that day, if you’re planning to come to the hospital just for scarf tying advice. 

Your appointment will take place in the Macmillan Support and Information Service located on the ground floor of the University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre. If you are admitted to one of our wards, our wig adviser can visit you there. If it is difficult for you to travel to the hospital, we may offer you a remote appointment. 

We will show you our wig catalogues and hair colour samples, and discuss your options with you. We can also give you information about scarf tying and other headwear that is available. We keep some stock on site. If the wig you choose is available, you can try it on then. If not, we can order three wigs for you, from our supplier, to try on at your next appointment. 

If we don’t have a suitable wig in stock, we’ll order a selection of three wigs for you. Wigs are normally delivered within 10 days. Once the wigs have arrived, we’ll call you to arrange an appointment for you to try them on. You can choose one of the styles to keep. 

Please note: It is important to us that you leave with the wig you really want. You don’t have to select any of the wigs we offer you. There are wig retail services available online and we have a list of suppliers. 

A wig costs £75.70 (charge correct in October 2022). You will need to pay for your chosen wig before collecting it. 

You can get your wig free of charge if you are: 

• under 16 years of age 

• 16, 17 or 18 years old and in full-time education 

• fitted with the wig as an inpatient on the ward or in Day Care 

If you or your partner (including civil partner) receive, or you are under the age of 20 and the dependent of someone receiving: 

• Income Support 

• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance 

• Pension Credit (Guarantee Credit part) 

• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance 

• Universal Credit and meet extra criteria 

If you are entitled to or named on: 

• a valid NHS tax credit exemption certificate (you can show your award notice if you don’t have a certificate) 

• a valid HC2 NHS certificate for full help with health costs. You may also get help with the cost of the wig if you are named on a valid HC3 certificate for partial help with health costs. 

Please note: You may not automatically qualify for a free wig if you are over 60 years old. For more information, please speak to the wig adviser. 

We can provide a basic alteration service once you have purchased your wig. This includes altering or adjusting the wig cap and checking the overall fit. However, we don’t cut or trim wigs. 

You cannot return the wig for a refund once it has been altered or worn. 

If you have any questions or need more information please contact Nicola, our wig and scarf tying adviser:

Phone 020 3447 8663 or 07929 846 857

Email uclh.wig.service@nhs.net

Or, pop in and see her when you're next at the Cancer Centre.

Wigs and other headwear