Consultant: Trip was deliberately blocked

From: Wael Agur To: Jackson Carlaw

Jackson,

I can confirm that surgeons here felt deeply-threatened by Dr Veronikis’ offer to visit Scotland. No doubt there is a professional conspiracy against his visit.

The surgeons blocked issuing a contract for him in NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde Health Board. Such contract was essential for him to obtain a temporary registration from The General Medical Council to practice medicine/operate in Scotland. Instead, the surgeons asked the Government to fund a tour around two to three US centres, after which theyy would choose which surgeong to invite to Scotland. It’s arrogance, in my opinion, and will lead to waste of resources on a useless tour. Tthey will not operate themselves in a US hospital, and might as well watch the online videoclip rather than cross the Atlantic!

The minutes from the Accountable Officers Group published in June described mesh removal surgery in Scotland as ‘high-quality service’ and decided to send the surgeons to the US instead of inviting Dr Veronikis. It was the intervention of the Cabinet Secretary by directly inviting him that went against the surgeons’ plan. However, the surgeonsg were successful in delayingyg the issuance of the contcontract till after the US tour is completedp and a reportp is submitted. Subsequently, Dr Veronikis withdrew his offer and the women are the victims.

The surgeons suggested another US surgeon instead: Harold Goldman, one of the most prominent proponents of the continuing use of mesh. In addition, he promotes partial (rather than total) mesh removal, the complete opposite of Dr Veronikis. Inviting Dr Goldman would undoubtedly support the local surgeons in their efforts to reintroduce mesh procedures in Scotland.

I have personally seen quite a few patientstit whoh were toldtld byb localll surgeonsg here that they had total removall surgeryg andd we ffoundd outt later that theyy still have considerable amount of mesh device still inside their bodies.

I hope that is useful and please let me know if further clarification is needed. All the best and thank you for helping the mesh-affected women. I do hope Dr Veronikis will reconsider his decision

Regards Wael Nicola Sturgeon came under intense pressure at Holyrood last week as she was asked why the promised arrival of Dr Veronikis had failed to happen.

The questioning by opposition parties was driven by the contents of an email, we can publish today, when a leading mesh expert alleged surgeons tried to block efforts to bring Dr Veronikis to Scotland.

Dr Wael Agur, inset, a senior surgeon appointed by Jeane Freeman to represent patients, wrote to Tory leader Jackson Carlaw, saying: “The surgeons blocked issuing a contract for him in NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde Health Board.

“Such contract was essential for him to obtain a temporary registration from the GMC to practice medicine and operate in Scotland. Instead, the surgeons asked government to fund a tour around US centres, after which they will choose which surgeon to invite to Scotland.

“It’s arrogance, in my opinion, and will waste resources on a useless tour.”