Mesh survivors claim minister let victims down
Mesh campaigners have described the government’s response to their own review of how they responded to the biggest medical scandal of modern times, as “pathetic”.
Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf apologised to mesh victims and said the government would learn for future reviews.
But he incensed those affected by saying the “temporary halt” to mesh implants will be lifted once restricted-use protocol is in place.
Elaine Holmes of Scottish Mesh Survivors said: “What Mr Yousaf should have been saying is because the government recognises women have died and thousands have had their lives destroyed by mesh, there’s no place for it in our hospitals.
“Instead, the government have simply tried to put time and space between all the blunders they’ve made as they failed to grasp that people around the world are suffering devastating injuries.
“What’s needed now is a proper commitment to get rid of mesh, and a robust treatment and support process for the patients whose lives have been destroyed.”
After explosive revelations in the Post that medical experts brought in to advise the Scottish Government on the safety of mesh implants all had past financial links to medical manufacturers, an ethics professor was asked to examine why they were asked to reveal any conflicts of interest dating back only one year.
Professor Alison Britton found the review “ill-conceived, thoughtlessly structured and poorly executed.”