Let’s halt these removals now until we can offer women the real deal

Mesh s u r v i v o rs hav e demanded a review of every removal carried out by Scots surgeons amid growing fears that scores of life- threatening implants remain in place.

The stalled trip to Scotland by world- leading mesh removal expert Dr Dionysios Veronikis led to claims in Holyrood last week that Scots surgeons did not want him to see patients told implants had been fully removed when they had not.

Elaine Holmes of Scottish Mesh Survivors called on the Government to order a full review of every removal operation carried out to reassure patients who have been told the mesh, used to treat prolapse and incontinence before being banned, has been fully removed.

She said: “There is mounting evidence to suggest women were given the very firm impression they have had a full removal when, in fact, that is not the case. That is deeply disturbing and we are calling on the Government to immediately halt all removals until Dr Veronikis comes to Scotland and reviews all those already carried out.

“Women must be told the truth about what has been done to their bodies. How many women have been told mesh implants have been removed when they have not? We need to know. And, after all this, we deserve to know now.”

Women, who have been left in crippling agony after mesh hardened and cut into organs, have continued to suffer problems even after having the implants removed.

Under pressure at First Minister’s Questions on Thursday after The Sunday Post revealed Dr Veronikis had withdrawn his offer to come to Scotland to treat women and train surgeons in his removal technique, Nicola Sturgeon said she would meet mesh victims and personally speak to the St Louis-based surgeon to try to secure his arrival.

He had pulled out saying four months of discussions with officials had led nowhere and suggested there was never any serious intention to bring him to Scotland, despite the public pledge by Health Secretary Jeane Freeman.

Campaigners’ calls to halt removal operations were backed by Tory leader Jackson Carlaw, who said: “If the First Minister makes good on her promise, obstacles to Dr Veronikis coming to Scotland will be removed soon.

“The women who need his help can have no confidence in clearly compromised alternative full mesh removals.

“L e t ’s halt these r emov a l s n ow until we can offer women the real deal.”

Ms Sturgeon’s pledge followed sustained pressure from Mr Carlaw and Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard at First Mi n i s t e r ’ s Questions.

Ms Sturgeon has not only promised to personally intervene amid claims of a conspiracy to

‘

So exactly how many women have been told mesh implants have been removed when they have not? We need to know. And, after all this, we deserve to know now

prevent Dr Veronikis from coming to Scotland, she has also agreed to meet injured women.

Mr Carlaw told Parliament there was a “professional conspiracy” at play, and urged the First Minister to personally intervene.

He said: “We now learn, however, that Dr Veronikis has called off, mostly, it seems, due to an apparently co-ordinated attempt to block him by powerful people within the National Health Service and medical hierarchy. “The clear suspicion of many people is that there is a professional and institutional campaign to frustrate Dr Veronikis’s involvement.

“It is the view of many people that establishment figures in the NHS are trying to protect their own backs. I exclude from any blame or suggestion of it the Cabinet Secretary