UCD spin-in to provide specialist post-surgery female underwear to NHS

Posted January 13, 2017

• THEYA Healthcare offers post-surgery bras and briefs
• Now an official supplier to National Health Service in the UK

A UCD spin-in that provides underwear specifically designed for patients who have undergone surgery has been selected as an official supplier to the (opens in a new window)National Health Service (NHS) in the UK.

(opens in a new window)THEYA Healthcare designs and manufactures products for women who have undergone breast, thoracic, pelvic or abdominal surgery or who are undergoing chemotherapy or radiography.

Their products are free of wiring and seams to provide comfort and avoid irritation. The company also uses bamboo fabric that is soft on the skin and thermally regulating. 

THEYA's post-surgery bras are now available through the NHS Supply Chain which provides patient-focused healthcare products and supply chain services to NHS hospitals.

Pictured: Ciara Donlon, founder and CEO of THEYA Healthcare

“This is a huge step forward for us. We have had a very positive reaction to our post-surgery range from both patients and surgeons in Ireland and now to get this stamp of approval from the NHS in the UK gives us great confidence for the future,” said Ciara Donlon, THEYA Healthcare founder and CEO.

“It was a big test for a start-up like THEYA Healthcare to meet the criteria required by the NHS to become an approved supplier. They expect nothing but the best in terms of quality, value for money and service. We are delighted that we proved up to the challenge and are looking forward to the new opportunities this appointment will present.”

THEYA Healthcare is conducting a clinical research study with the UCD-led (opens in a new window)Applied Research in Connected Health (ARCH). The study examines the impact of THEYA's post-surgery range in comparison to current best practice by measuring and evaluating the lived experience of women during their recovery period.

The company is headquartered at NovaUCD, the hub for new ventures and entrepreneurs at University College Dublin.

By: Jonny Baxter, digital journalist, UCD University Relations