Surgeons to remove 40 implants every year
Surgeons at Scotland’s new National Mesh Service hope to remove implants from around 40 women a year.
The service, announced by the Scottish Government in July with an annual budget of £1.3 million, has been introduced to remove the implants blamed for life-changing injuries to scores of Scots.
It will be run by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, and will remove the implants, routinely used for incontinence and prolapse conditions. They have been accused of ruining patients’ lives around the world.
The Scottish Government approved the removal service under huge pressure from mesh victims claiming Scots surgeons did not have the skills needed to remove them.
Several had flown to America to have the mesh taken out by world-leading surgeon Dionysios Veronikis but, despite the promises of ministers, including Health Secretary Jeane Freeman, his offer to fly to Scotland to operate was never realised.
Campaigners say the cost of around £36,000 for each operation carried out in Scotland is almost double that of flying patients to the US for treatment there.
Women who have paid for their own surgery in the US with Dr Veronikis have been able to do so for a total cost of around £20,000, including flights and hotel bills.
Now campaigners are calling on the Scottish Government to allow women to choose where they are treated.
The Scottish Government said the First Minister and Health Secretary will “consider what the best options are available for any woman.”