Armidale Hospital is about to receive a revolutionary technology to stop chemotherapy hair loss

A Paxman scalp cooling unit that combats chemotherapy-induced hair loss has been donated by the Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation.

Cancer Council community engagement coordinator Paul Hobson said the hospital had approached him after hearing about success at the Mater Hospital in Newcastle.

“With the rest of their worlds being turned upside down, undergoing treatment and the affect it has on family and work – to actually have a little bit of self-esteem and to maintain that dignity in keeping hair it does provide them with an extremely important emotional boost,” he said.

The unit will allow two patients to be treated at once and full training will be provided to hospital staff.

The cooling cap works by lowering the temperature of the scalp to below 22 degrees, reducing blood flow to the scalp to preserve hair follicles. The cost of the unit, which is expected to be installed in July, is $49,300.