In the last few months, Paxman has had the privilege of being appointed as both the preferred supplier to Helpévia (a private sector purchasing group) and the exclusive partner of UniHA (a public sector purchasing group). Whilst these are exciting and significant milestones for our work in France, they also reflect something bigger: a commitment to providing patients undergoing chemotherapy in France with high-quality, patient-centred cancer care.
Scalp cooling offers patients the chance to retain their hair whilst undergoing chemotherapy, as well as protect their follicles from damage and promote regrowth. For many, one of first questions after receiving a cancer diagnosis is: “Will I lose my hair?” For some, it can be the reason that patients refuse chemotherapy or ask for alternative, less effective treatment.
It’s clear that patients care deeply about their hair, but their desire to keep it is much more deeply rooted than just vanity. It’s about identity, sense of self, and privacy or protection for others during treatment. Cancer and chemotherapy already exact a heavy and unavoidable physical toll on patients. The psychological distress caused by hair loss only makes this toll even worse, but it is not inevitable. Scalp cooling, and subsequently a more holistic view of the patient’s health and wellbeing, can help to alleviate this heavy toll.
These two new partnerships accelerate an awakening and increasing focus on treating the cancer patient, rather than just the cancer.
Union des Hôpitaux pour les Achats, is a cooperative of French public-sector hospital purchasers, working in close collaboration with their supplier companies, in an innovative approach to purchasing. It is one of Europe's leading purchasers in the healthcare sector, and one of France's leading purchasers in all sectors of activity.
UniHA, as a cooperative of hospitals, pool their purchasing, expertise and skills to improve economic performance, time and quality. For them, purchasing is one of the strategic levers to use to transform the French healthcare system for its citizens, ensuring the best possible healthcare and making public hospitals more efficient.
Aligned in our shared goal to maintain equal access to high-standard cancer care, the purchasing group has selected Paxman as their exclusive partner for the provision of scalp cooling systems for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced alopecia. This is a great step towards increasing scalp cooling access and improving cancer care standards for all.
Since 1980, Helpévia has been a key player in referencing, purchasing and consulting for private healthcare establishments in France. Helpévia supports its members in the health, medico-social, and private sectors in their purchasing process. Instead of each hospital negotiating on its own, Helpévia negotiates contracts on behalf of its members, giving them more influence and better prices, which in turn leads to improved patient access. In this case, the Paxman Scalp Cooling System.
Helpévia currently represents 10% of the purchasing potential of the French public and private hospital sector; over 500 facilities including some of the key private providers in France: Vivalto Santé, Groupe AHNAC, and Almaviva Sante to name a few.
Like Paxman, the organisation is committed to a rigorous quality management system and pays particular attention to customer satisfaction. With ISO 9001 certification, Helpévia is the only certified purchasing group in the French healthcare sector.
Cancer care that is comprehensive, patient-centred, and of high quality are all common threads that sew these partnerships together.
The decision to prioritise quality over cost savings alone reflects a broader trend in healthcare procurement, where purchasing groups are increasingly focused on the long-term benefits of investing in the best products for patient care.
By choosing scalp cooling technology, UniHA and Helpévia are placing value not only on the technical specifications but also on the tangible benefits to patients’ emotional and psychological wellbeing. It’s a reminder that in healthcare, quality isn’t just about clinical outcomes. It’s about delivering a holistic, compassionate approach.
Just as Paxman advocates for this approach to care, we also employ this method with our customers. Access to comprehensive patient support and clinician training is standard issue for hospitals that purchase and treat patients with the Paxman Scalp Cooling System. This ensures that scalp cooling is delivered as efficiently and considerately as possible to well-informed patients with the right expectations and support.
With these partnerships, we’re excited to continue our journey in supporting French healthcare institutions in delivering high-quality, patient-centred care. Together, we can ensure that even during the toughest of treatments, patients are supported in every way possible.
