Mesh Removal Protest Victoria Hospital Glasgow
- 3 years ago
Mesh implant patients challenge government over surgery delays.
Women requiring the surgical removal of mesh implants have said "very little" has happened since a landmark Scottish government announcement in the summer.
The pledge means patients can now receive free treatment from specialists in America and England.
But campaigners said initial assessments in Glasgow were taking up to two years.
The Scottish government said it was working with NHS Specialist Services to improve waiting times.
Today (Wednesday ) a protest is being held at Glasgow Victoria Hospital on and the issue which is due to be raised in the Scottish Parliament.
Implant use was stopped in Scotland after hundreds of women were left with painful, life-changing side effects.
In July, the Scottish government announced surgery and travel costs to Spire Health Care in Bristol and the Mercy Hospital in Missouri in the United States would be covered.
The cost of each procedure is estimated to be £16,000 to £23,000.
Mesh implants have been used to treat conditions some women suffer after childbirth, such as incontinence and prolapse.
The mesh, usually made from synthetic polypropylene, is intended to repair damaged or weakened tissue
Over 20 years, more than 100,000 women across the UK had transvaginal mesh implants, which are used to treat pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and stress urinary incontinence (SUI), often after childbirth
While the vast majority suffer no side effects, the use of mesh in Scotland was suspended except in "exceptional circumstances" in 2014 after it emerged some women suffered painful side effects
Use of the procedure was halted in 2018
Once the mesh is implanted, it is very difficult to remove.
Isabelle McLafferty, of Scottish Mesh Survivors, told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme the group had been working with the committee on reimbursement so that women who have paid out of their own pocket to get to America can be compensated.
But she added there had been no further information about how people get to America for surgery.
Ms McLafferty said it looked as if patients have to be reassessed in Glasgow, but new referrals were taking "anything up to two years".
She believes the pandemic and NHS waiting times have played a part in the delays but she added: "The actual system that has operated for the Glasgow Mesh Centre does not seem fit for purpose.
"Women are receiving appointments and then it is being cancelled a week in advance.
"One lady had been scheduled to be seen today and is now not being seen until May/June 2022."
Ms McLafferty said patients do not have time to wait any longer and added the situation has gone on for far too long.
Asked how she was managing, the retired teacher said: "Each day can be completely different. I don't plan anything any more.
"Each day I can wake up and one day I can be fine, other days I am in pain constantly down my leg which creates issues with my mobility."
Women requiring the surgical removal of mesh implants have said "very little" has happened since a landmark Scottish government announcement in the summer.
The pledge means patients can now receive free treatment from specialists in America and England.
But campaigners said initial assessments in Glasgow were taking up to two years.
The Scottish government said it was working with NHS Specialist Services to improve waiting times.
Today (Wednesday ) a protest is being held at Glasgow Victoria Hospital on and the issue which is due to be raised in the Scottish Parliament.
Implant use was stopped in Scotland after hundreds of women were left with painful, life-changing side effects.
In July, the Scottish government announced surgery and travel costs to Spire Health Care in Bristol and the Mercy Hospital in Missouri in the United States would be covered.
The cost of each procedure is estimated to be £16,000 to £23,000.
Mesh implants have been used to treat conditions some women suffer after childbirth, such as incontinence and prolapse.
The mesh, usually made from synthetic polypropylene, is intended to repair damaged or weakened tissue
Over 20 years, more than 100,000 women across the UK had transvaginal mesh implants, which are used to treat pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and stress urinary incontinence (SUI), often after childbirth
While the vast majority suffer no side effects, the use of mesh in Scotland was suspended except in "exceptional circumstances" in 2014 after it emerged some women suffered painful side effects
Use of the procedure was halted in 2018
Once the mesh is implanted, it is very difficult to remove.
Isabelle McLafferty, of Scottish Mesh Survivors, told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme the group had been working with the committee on reimbursement so that women who have paid out of their own pocket to get to America can be compensated.
But she added there had been no further information about how people get to America for surgery.
Ms McLafferty said it looked as if patients have to be reassessed in Glasgow, but new referrals were taking "anything up to two years".
She believes the pandemic and NHS waiting times have played a part in the delays but she added: "The actual system that has operated for the Glasgow Mesh Centre does not seem fit for purpose.
"Women are receiving appointments and then it is being cancelled a week in advance.
"One lady had been scheduled to be seen today and is now not being seen until May/June 2022."
Ms McLafferty said patients do not have time to wait any longer and added the situation has gone on for far too long.
Asked how she was managing, the retired teacher said: "Each day can be completely different. I don't plan anything any more.
"Each day I can wake up and one day I can be fine, other days I am in pain constantly down my leg which creates issues with my mobility."