Have you heard about this paediatric neurosurgery hairdressing scheme?

The HBSA (Hairdressing & Beauty Suppliers Association) is working in conjunction with Denman International to introduce an innovative hairdressing scheme to paediatric neurosurgery theatres across the UK. Children are provided with a high quality of care through the scheme in which nurses wash, condition, detangle and style the hair of their patients, whilst still under anaesthetic following neurosurgery. All hair products have been donated from major suppliers and include shampoos, conditioners, grips, pins, combs and brushes. These are all neatly stored in a trolley which is wheeled into the operating theatre and is then sanitised between operations. The scheme, embedded as a trial in the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children, has proven to be a great success not only for the patients and their families, but for the nurses and surgeons too. It has become a much-valued step in the post-surgery process allowing for a much higher standard of care. Apart from providing a positive experience for the patient, it also reduces the risk of infection. Crucially, the quality of the products used provides that extra level of care as the hair can be properly washed and styled in such a way that keeps the surgery wound clean. All products are ‘single use’, and the patient receives the remainder of the products used in theatre to go home with afterwards. “The nurses and surgeons adore it. They have chosen that career because they want to care for patients," explains Rachel Copeland, a Consultant Anaesthetist. "I think this is providing them with another opportunity to really make a positive difference to the experience of the patients. The child and the parents don’t always know what to expect when the child returns post-surgery, and they are delighted when their child returns to them with freshly washed and styled hair.” With an already existing blueprint, the roll out of this scheme into more hospitals will be simple with immeasurable impacts for all involved. For effective expansion, support from suppliers is essential to ensure the scheme has the necessary materials. Fully-packed trolleys will be dispatched to participating hospitals. If you are a supplier who wishes to support this scheme by donating products, please contact the HBSA.