No medical card needed for new mastectomy support scheme
Lorraine Kirrane of La Belle Feme in Claremorris is keen to raise awareness about the supports available to women who have had a mastectomy.
La Belle Femme in Claremorris is highlighting a major change in supports available to women who have had a mastectomy, after a new national scheme expanded eligibility to all patients regardless of whether they hold a medical card. The shop’s owner, Lorraine Kirrane, says many women still think they need a Medical Card to access the entitlement but this is not the case, and she hopes to spread the word so nobody misses out.
Speaking to the about the change, Lorraine explained that up to this year, only women with medical cards were entitled to receive prosthetics, specialist bras or other related items without cost. That changed in the 2024 Budget and the measure came into effect in January 2025.
“Anybody who has had a mastectomy is entitled to free prosthesis, free bras, free swimsuit and free swimming prosthesis,” Lorraine said. Although the scheme has been running for several months, she has noticed that “a lot of ladies haven’t heard about it or know about the scheme”, and she believes raising awareness is essential.
According to Lorraine, the allowance is a grant towards the overall cost and can be worth up to €550, depending on what each woman requires. A prosthesis on its own can cost around €200 and specialist bras can cost anything from €50 to €100, so the financial support is significant. Women are entitled to two bras, one prosthesis, one swimsuit and one swimming prosthesis, and most customers will get everything they need without having to add any money of their own. Lorraine described it as a very good scheme and a very important service to breast cancer survivors.
La Belle Femme is the only shop providing this service across Mayo, Galway, Roscommon and Sligo, and Lorraine says the shop environment makes a real difference to people. Before she took up the work almost two decades ago, women often had to be fitted in hospitals or medical settings, something many found uncomfortable.
“What they really liked was that they were coming into a shop and there was no stigma about it,” she said. “Nobody knows whether a customer is coming in to buy a nightdress or a prosthesis,” Lorraine said, and she believes this normal, everyday setting makes the experience easier and more relaxed.
Lorraine began offering mastectomy fittings around 2006 or 2007 after being approached by a local woman who had struggled to source suitable lingerie. A breast care nurse later contacted Lorraine when another provider retired and she took over the service in the region. Since then she has developed a large stock range and a specialist fitting service. Lorraine and her staff are trained in fitting, a service she says customers will not find in supermarkets or general clothing stores. The business is highly stock intensive because of the variety of sizes required, and La Belle Femme is in business 20 years.
La Belle Femme opens six days a week, Monday to Saturday, from 10.00 am to 5.30 pm. A fitting usually takes around 30 to 35 minutes, although more time is given if needed. People can walk in, but those travelling from further away are encouraged to make an appointment.
Lorraine also handles all paperwork connected with the HSE scheme. To avail of the entitlement, women need a special form from the shop, which must be stamped and filled-in by their GP. The original form must then be returned to La Belle Femme. Lorraine posts forms out to anyone who cannot collect one in person and once she receives the GP-signed original, she manages the entire process.
“They don’t have to pay the money and claim it back. I claim it for them,” she said. The HSE pays the shop directly.
