Mesh implant victims to receive £1,000 each in government payout

Women who have suffered health complications as a result of mesh implants are to receive a £1,000 payment from the Scottish Government.

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman has announced a yearlong £1 million fund to help support women with transvaginal mesh complications.

More than 20,000 women in Scotland have had the mesh implants in the past 20 years but some have suffered painful and debilitating complications, in what has been described by politicians as “the greatest health scandal of our times”.

As a result, those women who had implant procedures carried out by or on behalf of a Scottish health board can now receive a one-off payment of £1,000 towards costs associated with emotional or practical support.

The Scottish Government said the scheme was not “compensation for any perceived wrongdoing by the NHS” and did not replace Department of Work and Pensions benefits for anyone who is unable to work as a result of their condition.

The financial support comes after the Health and Social Care Alliance asked many of the affected women how they thought the fund should be allocated, the majority view being that each should be offered the same amount with no means testing.

Ms Freeman said: “We have listened carefully to the views and experiences of the women affected when setting up this fund. We have made the application process as simple and straightforward as possible and hope the fund will help those who experienced hardship as a result of the complications caused by mesh implants.

“We recognise the physical and emotional effects that mesh complications have had on women and we have already taken strong and decisive action, including halting the use of transvaginal mesh, developing a case note review and establishing a Complex Pelvic Mesh Removal Service.”

Nicola Sturgeon has previously issued a formal apology on behalf of the Scottish Government to the thousands of women who suffered as a result of having mesh implants. Ms Freeman also ordered a halt to use of transvaginal mesh in 2018.

Scottish Labour MSP Neil Findlay, who has campaigned with the affected women for increased support and an end to mesh operations, said he was “pleased” his call for a fund to support Scottish mesh survivors had been accepted. “This will provide some help for them in managing the impact of mesh on their daily lives.” SNP MSP Alex Neill, who has also campaigned for the women, added: “This is an important step towards improving the lives of some of the women who have suffered devastating effects of mesh.”