Cork hospital's €20k machine that prevents hair loss during chemo 'not yet operational'

A scalp-cooling machine chills the scalp during chemotherapy to reduce blood flow to hair follicles, helping prevent or minimise hair loss

A cold cap, or scalp-cooling machine, chills the scalp during chemotherapy to reduce blood flow to hair follicles, helping prevent or minimise hair loss. File picture: Denis Minihane

Cork University Hospital has confirmed it has a machine to prevent hair loss while undergoing chemotherapy, but that it is not in use due to “staffing and training requirements”.

In June 2023, then health minister Stephen Donnelly said that CUH was one of seven hospitals across the country that provide a scalp-cooling service. The machines cost approximately €20,000 each.