Government investigate operations as patients demand answers
Mesh removal surgeries carried out in Scotland are to be reviewed amid mounting concerns, we can reveal.
The move, announced by Scottish Health Secretary Jeane Freeman, comes after campaigners claimed women who have undergone “full removal” have been left with sections of the crippling implants still in place.
They include three women who travelled to the US to undergo surgery with leading surgeon Dr Dionysios Veronikis, after being given the impression their mesh had been fully removed.
Dr Veronikis discovered each woman had two- thirds of their implants, cutting into vital organs, still in their bodies.
Ms Freeman last week told MSPS she had requested a full review of removal operations. She said that she would ask NHS Greater Glasgow these revelations have taken it to a completely new level.
“Women discovering they still have mesh inside them when their medical records suggest they have had full removals throws up major legal, ethical and moral questions which must be answered.”
Mesh victims Claire Daisley, 49, from Greenock, Karen Neil, 53, from Clydebank and Lorna Farrell, 53, from East Renfrewshire all believed their mesh had been fully removed.
But when they flew to the US for treatment by Dr Veronikis three months ago, he removed the two- thirds of the implant that had been left inside each of them, and took photographs as evidence.
He said in a letter to Jeane Freeman: “The woman have been vindicated. What has been recorded in their medical records as full removal was a partial removal.”
Another Scottish victim told how
‘ This is perhaps the darkest twist and turn yet in the mesh scandal
she nearly died weeks ago after developing sepsis and being rushed into hospital only to be told the infection could not have been coming from her mesh implant as it had been fully removed.
She said: “After I persisted I was eventually sent a letter by the removal surgeon to say that, in fact, I had not had a full removal after all.
“I could have died. That’s how serious this situation is. We deserve to be told the truth.”
Scotland is facing an unprecedented number of legal actions involving mesh, and lead lawyer Patrick Mcguire of Thompsons Solicitors said: “There have been many twists and turns in the mesh scandal, but this is perhaps the darkest yet.
“Mesh survivors have been forced to develop doubts and mistrust because of the sheer scale and seriousness of the whole debacle, but this is a shocking turn of events.”
Shadow Health Secretary Miles Briggs said: “The very least these women deserve is truth and transparency. The government must work hard to listen to the women and act accordingly.”