Despite proven efficacy, the use of scalp cooling can be inconsistent due to logistical and staffing challenges within UK oncology clinics. Costs, time and resource constraints, or capacity can pose a barrier to scalp cooling access.
Volunteers in your cancer centre could be the solution.
“I think having the volunteers to fit caps is a really good thing. I have had the same lady fit mine on most occasions. She is so welcoming and friendly.”
- Scalp Cooling Patient
A familiar, compassionate face
A team of trained volunteers dedicated to delivering scalp cooling can provide a warm, friendly patient experience that promotes continuity of care.
A team of personal patient advocates
For patients with significant hair loss despite scalp cooling, it can be easy to recommend stopping to free up time and resource for other patients. By implementing a volunteer programme, you gain additional resources who are invested in singularly invested in the personal wellbeing of their scalp cooling patients. From training and getting to know their patients, they will understand that:
The 2020 pandemic caused the scalp cooling service at Gloucestershire Cancer Centre to be at risk. Healthcare Assistants (HCA) trained to provide scalp cooling were no longer available to provide this service. As a result, a volunteer programme was developed, with Paxman offering training on scalp cooling for volunteers.
“I find this an extremely satisfying role. I enjoy meeting patients and ensuring their experience of scalp cooling is the best it can be. I feel we provide valuable support, freeing up nurses’ time that can be better spent. I have been scalp cooling for 3 years and intend to carry on as long as there is a need.”
- Scalp Cooling Service Volunteer
Paxman supported the Volunteer team with training on scalp cooling.
5 Volunteers supported approximately 21 patients a month.
This equates to 87 nursing hours saved per year (based on 20 minutes to prepare each patient)
5 to 12 scalp cooling patients per day - on average 30 patients a week or 1,500 scalp cooling patients per year.
This resulted in 300 hours of significant cost savings*:
Band 2 - £4,000
Band 5 - £6,000
Capacity and access have further increased.
10 patients consistently scalp cooling each day or 2,600 patients per year.
8,167 nursing hours saved per year
“I find this an extremely satisfying role. I enjoy meeting patients and ensuring their experience of scalp cooling is the best it can be. I feel we provide valuable support, freeing up nurses’ time that can be better spent. I have been scalp cooling for 3 years and intend to carry on as long as there is a need.”
- Scalp Cooling Service Volunteer
“At Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust Chemotherapy Village we are passionate about innovation in patient care and continuously seek ways to enhance our scalp cooling service. In the Chemotherapy Village we have been working hard to introduce self-application of scalp cooling and to strengthen the support we provide to patients during their treatment.
As a Trust, we are extremely proud of our volunteer programme and are always exploring meaningful ways for volunteers to contribute.”
- Natasha Ivens, Deputy Sister, Chemotherapy Day Unit, Guys Cancer Centre
“We recently recruited and trained 4 volunteers to support patients with scalp cooling, expanding their roles and providing them with valuable skills and a recognised competency that can support future employment opportunities.
Most importantly this initiative allows us to offer patients greater comfort and support throughout their scalp cooling journey.”
– Natasha Ivens
Paxman are just as passionate as you are about delivering an effective, patient-centred approach to scalp cooling that benefits everyone. Here you will find all of the available resources to help you implement your own volunteer programme. Your Paxman representatives are also on-hand to assist with any questions and help you get started.
If you feel your centre could benefit from a volunteer programme, here are some steps to help you get started.
Conduct an audit
If capacity allows, an audit can help you determine the number of patients eligible for scalp cooling and therefore the current time and resources required to deliver the treatment. This allows you to determine approximately how much time you would save, how many volunteers you require and whether there is capacity to even increase the number of patients scalp cooling per day.
Contact Paxman
Our representatives have supported other oncology centres in implementing their own volunteer programmes. We can help you take the first step by answering questions, sharing experiences and providing resources to support the implementation. When you’re ready, we can offer training to ensure that volunteers are as knowledgeable as your nursing staff when it comes to scalp cooling. Get in touch with your representative or use the contact form below.
Networking
Nursing oncology conferences, such as UKONS, are a great way to learn about scalp cooling experiences from other healthcare practitioners – whether that’s informally through conversation or via more formal poster and abstract presentations.
You’re just a few clicks away from making the simple switch to Insurance-Based Billing. Here’s how to get started delivering equitable, streamlined, patient-centered cancer care:
1. Contact Paxman
Reach out to the team via the contact form to express your interest. From here on in, you’ll have the full support of our experienced team to guide you through the rest of the process.
2. Set up a contract*
After giving you a deeper dive into the IBBM, we’ll guide you through the process of signing a contract with Paxman and our distributor to place your order of cap kits.
3. Training & Integration
Your staff will receive comprehensive training on billing for scalp cooling treatments, including CPT and infusion codes. From January 1, 2026, billing will be via CPT Category I codes.
4. Start Offering Scalp Cooling
Once you’re set up, you can begin billing insurance for cap fittings and treatments, leading the way for a new age of equitable access for scalp cooling.
*Facilities may not directly bill insurance without a contract in place due to the negative impact on potential patient reimbursement.
Here you will find everything you need as part of the Insurance-Based Billing Model. Remember: our team will guide you through the entire process.
Christina Arnal, RN, BSN, OCN talks through switching her institution’s self-pay model to an insurance-based billing one, as patient demand increases.
Clinical Product Specialist, Jacqueline Olsen, RN, BSN, MBA, shares a nursing perspective on why scalp cooling access is so important.
Final rule publication
Category I CPT codes take full effect
