The victims: Health secretary has little to be proud about

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman used a recent interview to insist her proudest achievement since taking office was suspending use of mesh.

That has not impressed mesh-damaged Scots however, who say that, despite meeting with Ms Freeman face to face to tell her what they need to regain their lives, they have received little but warm words.

The delays in bringing Dr Veronikis to Scotland are, for many, the last straw. Elaine Holmes, of campaign group Scottish Mesh Survivors, said she was “sickened” by the response, particularly as so many mesh-injured women here have been told they have had full implant removal when in fact only partial removals have been performed.

She said: “The best surgeons never stop learning. That is why we need Dr Veronikis here now.”

The Sunday Post raised £20,000 from generous donors to fund Claire’s life-changing surgery in the US.

One of them, Patrick McGuire of Thompsons Solicitors, said: “I’m delighted to have been able to help Claire receive the life-changing surgery she so desperately needed. But it saddens me greatly that our government is not doing everything it can to get Dr Veronikis to Scotland so he can treat others and train our NHS surgeons to ensure all our mesh injured women get the chance of the miraculous surgery he has carried out on Claire.

“Mesh victims suffered devastating injuries when they went for surgery described by NHS surgeons as a simple procedure. Claire is living proof of what Dr Veronikis can do.”

Mum of three Karen Neil, 54, from Clydebank, who travelled to St Louis to accompany Claire before Dr Veronikis offered to operate on her too, said: “I’m dismayed by Jeane Freeman’s response to what is becoming recognised as the biggest health scandal of modern times. She may be proud of her achievements, but those of us who have been forced to live in such pain are far less impressed.”