What an utter mesh
Olive McIlroy, left, and Elaine Holmes. Above – campaigners lobbying against the use of mesh took their protest to the Scottish Parliament. drafted in to lead the independent review in its final stages.
Dr Wilkie, who was appointed in June 2014, has told Government officials she is standing down due to “other commitments”.
Insiders say retired Dr Wilkie was initially told the review would take six months to complete.
But that was a “m a s s i v e underestimate” and the final report is already two years overdue.
Thanks to her interim report, published last year, three of the four mesh implants once routinely used in Scots hospitals are not now available unless sanctioned by a multi-disciplinary medical team.
But campaigners are concerned that new evidence which shows the remaining implant has more longterm side- effects than traditional non-mesh surgery will be kept out of the report or played down.
More than 400 mesh victims are suing over life- changing injuries sustained from the implants.
Implants are used on more than 2000 women a year in Scotland.
Former Health Secretary Alex Neil introduced a mesh suspension in June 2014 but some doctors continued using the implants.
Throughout the scandal, the UK health watchdog, the MHRA, which is 90% industr y- funded, has continued to insist that “the benefits outweigh the risks” of mesh implants.
But an EU report recently called for all mesh implants, including those to treat hernias, to be reclassified as “high risk”.
Dr Wilkie was unavailable for comment.
A Scottish Government spokesman said: “Dr Tracey Gillies, medical director of NHS Lothian, was appointed as chair of the Independent Review last month, following the resignation of Dr Lesley Wilkie for personal reasons.
“The new appointment has no impact on the publication of the report and Dr Gillies will ensure this continues as planned.”
Back in 1998. Surgeons around the world began using polypropylene mesh to treat bladder problems and pelvic organ prolapse.
Implants, made of the same extremely fine surgical “netting” used to treat hernias, were used as a hammock or sling to support internal organs.
Mums, largely. With up to 45% of women suffering bladder problems at some time in their lives, medical manufacturers made billions replacing traditional non-mesh procedures with the new technique.
Up to one in five women who had mesh implant surgery suffered serious side-effects, causing manufacturers to be accused of rushing to market without longterm testing.
Firms have paid £1.5 billion compensation in the US. Hundreds of thousands of women around the world suffered life-changing injuries.
Around 2000 mesh procedures were carried out in Scotland each year until the practice was suspended in June 2014. More than 4000 women have launched the biggest medical negligence claim in Scottish legal history.