FAQ

Q: I am a UK Pharmacist, how do I get your product?
A:  Our Pharmacy Ordering page describes your options. If you have a means of payment ordering online will be your cheapest & fastest
     method, particularly if you are not part of a large multiple.

Q: I have just ordered the wrong size can you amend it for me before your ship it?
A: We have done everything in our power to automate the ordering process to ensure that goods ship out the same day wherever possible. To this end it is not practical to interrupt the ordering process as it has typically shipped by the time we read the email.

Q: Is it possible to buy a size outside of the size range that you specify?
A: Sorry, no our widest range is the 316 model which goes to 120cm (47.5").  Our narrowest waist is 76cm (30"")

Q: Can I wear my hernia briefs post-surgery?
A: Yes, all briefs can be worn post-surgery as there is a small possibility of recurrence or even hernia surgery on the other side of
the abdomen. Before wearing you should be aware of the following caveats: 

1) Check with your surgeon/GP first regarding the localised healing time of the wound site as you do not want to put even pressure on the
     site until completely healed. 
2) Wear without the foam pads as general support is needed not direct pressure.

Q: Do you ship to <your country>?
A: It's quite likely that we do. Europe, USA, Canada, Australia, and some countries in Asia. If you don't find your country in the destination country select-box at checkout it's because the postal system of that country does not have a reciprocal agreement with Royal Mail for tracked mail. In the absence of this, the liability and blame fall (unfairly) on us so we will not ship to these countries. We show two 3rd party couriers here who can help. In particular, we have experienced a high percentage of non-deliveries in India (verbose and unclear addresses) and Gulf states (customs) so neither of these regions is served.

Q: Why will my GP not prescribe this product?
A:  Assuming that you have an inguinal hernia and no other relevant conditions that might prevent wearing of our briefs e.g an Ostomy
bag or oversize/descended hernia then the GPs refusal is likely to be linked to NHS budget rationing or perhaps ignorance that our product exists. This will be linked to local guidelines relating to procurement within the NHS Trust. If you also have no access to elective surgery then this reinforces the budget rationing view. Although this is rare, you can still resort to purchasing exactly the same product directly from this site.

Q: Can the briefs be worn all day?
A: Yes, all our briefs are designed to be worn comfortably all day. 

Q: Do you supply foam pads separately?
A: No, unfortunately, we don't supply more than 2 x foam pads per box. These are integral items and are not supplied separately.
The compressed foam pads supplied are similar in density to many other packaging foam so it is possible to use the existing foam as
a template and create your own. 

Q: My Doctor does not know how/where to prescribe this product?
A: Our Orione Hernia Brief, Hernia support garment (Model #316) is available on prescription from the National Health Service Drugs Tariff. 
We appear in  Part IXA - Appliances (England, Wales and Northern Ireland)  and Part 3 Appliances PDF of the
Scottish Drugs Tariff.  Search keywords are 'ORIONE HERNIA BRIEF'. You will need to provide an relatively tight &
accurate waist measurement in cm, please do not guess, particulary if you are procuring for another person.

Q: My Pharmacist says that I need to wait '1 Week / 10 Days / etc' for this product?
A: Not true. This is a generic response and does not take into account that we are way faster than other similar suppliers in the NHS supply chain. We have relationships with all major distributors and ship same-day to them or are dispatched from stock for next-day delivery at your  Chemist. While this may be the typical waiting time for other products it does not apply to us. Only in very exceptional circumstances will you wait more than 24 working hours. 

Q: My local independent UK Pharmacist says that he/she "Can't get it / Can't supply it / Its not available / No longer supplied"
A: Your Pharmacist may have already decided that procuring the product is not financially attractive enough for them.
If you think that they genuinely do not know how to get it, all our pharmacy suppliers are listed here...
Otherwise take your FP10 prescription form to your local branch of Boots, who will be happy to supply you without debate
from their 'Alliance Specials' team. If the pharmacist is still confused please get them to call us directly on 01647 270257. We are the only UK distributor for this product and know all the points where they can be procured.

Q: Can I return the brief if it doesn't fit?
A: No, All our products are considered 'Final Sale' for hygiene reasons. Returns & Exchanges are not permitted. You will have to tick a check-box to this effect at Checkout. We have no means of determining If you have worn or not worn them. The UK Distance Selling Regulations Act 2000 (used by many other high-street retailers) covers this exemption. We provide comprehensive advice to assist you prior to purchase to help you get this right. 

Q: What payment methods do you accept?
A: We accept all major credit and debit cards including Amex and Cheques (which will cause a long delay) and even Bitcoin.
Please read our Payments and Security Page for more information. We do not offer Paypal as they tend to unfairly retain supplier balances.

Q: What are the foam pads and how do they fit?
A: You will receive two shaped foam pads for the following garments (#313, #316, #515, #516, #536, #560).
The pads are optional but recommended on the side(s) of the groin with the hernia. The foam pad maximum depth is 11.3cm, maximum width 11.4cm with variable width in-between these approximate figures.  The pad fits into a sewn pouch on either side of the inside of the brief. if you are wearing your briefs post-operation (in consultation with your surgeon) you will not need the pads but the additional support will be of benefit, you just do not require direct pressure on the wound site. 

Q: How do you fit the pads?
A: All the pads are the same, essentially a teardrop shape with a single flat edge. Insert the foam pad tear-drop face downwards. It may be a tight fit but it can be left in the garment during washes.

Q: What is the latest time that you can dispatch my order?
A: We dispatch up to 3pm GMT Monday to Friday with the exception of UK Bank-Holidays. This is not a guarantee, but likely to happen.
     Your order will be shipped using Royal Mail Tracked 24 service which is anticipated (but not guaranteed) to arrive the following day. We
     understand that you may be in pain and try and ship promptly wherever possible.

Q: How will my package arrive?
A: Your package will arrive (for UK customers) via the Royal Mail, typically with your existing post.
    You will typically receive a 30cm x 17cm x 6cm anonymous and reinforced cardboard outer clam-shell type box (for Qty 1)  
   or 39cm x 28cm x 6 cm box ( Qty 2).  Both these boxes are larger than the dimensions of a typical UK letterbox so expect Royal Mail to
   knock on the door unless alternative local arrangements apply.

Q: I've just ordered - what happens now?
A: You should receive an email confirmation of your order if you provided an email address on checkout. We dispatch up to 3pm GMT Monday to Friday with the exception of UK Bank Holidays. This is not a guarantee, but extremely likely.  When the order has physically shipped you will receive another email, this time a shipping confirmation when your order is physically shipped. This will contain a tracking number which can typically be checked from about 7pm GMT onwards on the date of dispatch. The link for this is in your email confirmation but is typically similar to the link below...

      http://www.royalmail.com/track-and-trace?trackNumber=AB12345678GB

Q: My parcel has not arrived?
A: You can claim compensation from Royal Mail in the following circumstances:      

Q: How do I wash these briefs?

A:  We recommend a machine-wash  cool wash (and preferably a low-spin) will have no degradation of the garment
    with regards to size or material change apart from normal material degradation over time. 

Q: Do you provide a paper catalogue or order forms?
A: Sorry no, it is not cost-effective to produce a catalogue for such a small range and all information that we would put in a catalogue is available on this website. If you have reservations about internet security, you are welcome to send a cheque and paper order to the address on this site
BUT it 1) must include the correct price including P&P visible at the checkout and 2) have a clear delivery address.  Your order will be delayed while the cheque clears.  You are welcome to order over the telephone during normal UK business hours  

Q: Can you swim in these briefs?
A: Sorry no, they are not designed for swimming, chlorine or saltwater will almost certainly affect the tension of the briefs.