Microsoft word - hair loss (correction) policy

NHS BLACKPOOL CLINICAL COMMISSIONING GROUP

1 Introduction
1.1 This document is part of a suite of policies adopted by the Commissioning Organisation to drive its commissioning of healthcare. Each policy in that suite is a separate public document in its own right, but will be applied with reference to other policies in that suite. 1.2 This policy relates to the commissioning of interventions for correcting hair loss. These Specific treatments for medical conditions which present as hair loss, e.g.: Topical agents (corticosteroids, immunotherapy, minoxidil, dithranol) Systemic agents (corticosteroids, cyclosporine) Cognitive behavioural therapy for trichotillomania 2. Definition
2.1 Interventions to correct hair loss have the intended outcome of improving the cosmetic an underlying medical condition (e.g alopecia, trichotillomania and tinea capitis) 2.3 The Commissioning Organisation recognises that a patient may: a) suffer from hair loss b) wish to have a service provided for their hair loss c) be advised that they are clinically suitable for the treatment, and d) be distressed by their hair loss, and by the fact that that this intervention may not be commissioned by this Commissioning Organisation. Such features place the patient within the group to whom this policy applies and do not make them exceptions to it.
3 Appropriate Healthcare
3.1 The Commissioning Organisation considers that correction of hair loss with the sole intended outcome of improving cosmetic appearance places the intervention within the category of interventions that are appropriate for commissioning under Category 2. This is because their intended outcome (i.e. to improve cosmetic appearance) is other than those listed under category 1 (i.e. to preserve life, prevent or relieve pain, disability or physical discomfort, directly address the distress or disability associated with a diagnosed mental health condition or maintain dignity at the time of death.) 3.2 While the Commissioning Organisation wishes to commission this service, it is unable to do so on the basis of competing priorities.
4. Effective Healthcare
4.1 As the Commissioning Organisation does not consider interventions for correcting hair loss to be appropriate for commissioning under category 1, it is unnecessary to consider effectiveness. 5 Cost Effective Healthcare
5.1 As the Commissioning Organisation does not consider interventions for correcting hair loss to be appropriate for commissioning under category 1, it is unnecessary to consider cost effectiveness.
6. Ethical Healthcare
6.1 As the Commissioning Organisation does not consider interventions for correcting hair loss to be appropriate for commissioning under category 1, it is unnecessary to consider the criterion of ethical delivery.
7. Policy
7.1 The Commissioning Organisation will not commission interventions to correct hair loss if the sole intended outcome is to improve the cosmetic appearance.
8. Exceptions
8.1 The Commissioning Organisation will consider exceptions to this policy. This policy is based on criteria of appropriateness, effectiveness, cost effectiveness and ethical issues. A successful request to be regarded as an exception is likely to be based on evidence that the patient differs from the usual group of patients to which the policy applies, and this difference substantially changes the application of those criteria for this patient. Requests for funding for correction of hair loss under any other circumstances must be submitted to the Commissioning Organisation’s Individual Funding Request Panel. (See Commissioning Organisation’s Individual Funding Request Policy). Force
9.1 This policy remains in force for a period of four years from the date of its adoption, or
until it is superseded by a revised policy, whichever is sooner.

Source: http://blackpoolccg.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Hair-Loss-Correction-Policy.pdf