Helping nurses provide comfort and reassurance to children undergoing neurosurgery.
Published:HBSA members have donated professional hair care products to Belfast Children’s Hospital, helping nurses provide comfort and reassurance to children undergoing neurosurgery.
The Hair & Beauty Suppliers Association (HBSA) has received a heartfelt message of thanks from Dr Rachel Copeland at Belfast Children’s Hospital, following a significant donation of professional shampoos, conditioners and hair care essentials from HBSA members.
The products are being used by the hospital’s theatre team to care for children undergoing neurosurgery, helping them feel more like themselves when they wake following major procedures.
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Dr Copeland, who regularly works on the neurosurgical list, explained that children of all ages may require surgery involving an incision through the scalp. This is something that can understandably cause anxiety for both young patients and their parents.
“It really does make a huge difference to us. The children and their parents are often anxious about what they will look like when they wake up,”
– Dr Copeland.
The donated products enable nurses to gently wash, condition, detangle and style each child’s hair while they remain under anaesthetic. Hair can also be carefully plaited to keep it tidy and away from tender incision sites, helping to support comfort and reduce the risk of infection during recovery.
For families, the simple act of ensuring a child looks familiar after surgery can have a significant emotional impact.
“The delight it gives the children and their parents, when they see their child looking just like they always do, even after brain surgery, is just fantastic,” – Dr Copeland.
The donation includes shampoos, conditioners, grips, pins, combs, brushes and baubles, all supplied by HBSA members. The products are kept on a dedicated theatre trolley, which is sanitised between operations to ensure they can be used safely for each procedure.
Following surgery, each child is also able to take home the remaining products used during their procedure.
Dr Copeland added: “The nurses all love having these beautiful products to help them care for the children. Thank you so, so much for your generosity. It is appreciated by so many, and does so much good.”
The donation highlights the wider role the professional hair and beauty industry can play in supporting communities, demonstrating how products and expertise can make a meaningful difference beyond the salon and professional environment.
The HBSA continues to champion responsible practice, community support and meaningful industry contribution, with its members demonstrating how collaboration across the sector can deliver practical and compassionate support where it is needed most.
For further information, please contact info@thehbsa.co.uk, or please visit hbsa.
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