Women who paid for transvaginal mesh removal to be refunded

Jeane Freeman

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman yesterday announced plans to legislate to allow the Scottish government to meet the travel, medical and other reasonable expenses of those who had mesh removal surgery outwith NHS Scotland.

Many women have reported debilitating pain after being fitted with faulty mesh implants, which are used to treat conditions such as pelvic prolapse and urinary incontinence, which are common after childbirth.

One manufacturer, Johnson & Johnson, reached a £50 million settlement with hundreds of women in Scotland in the Court of Session last year.

Ms Freeman said: “The Scottish government halted the implantation of transvaginal mesh in 2018, and is committed to keeping this halt in place. We absolutely recognise the serious distress which may have led to women using their own funds to pay for private surgery.

“As the Scottish government does not currently have the legal power to refund these past costs we propose introducing legislation in the next parliament, subject to the outcome of the election.”

The Scottish government has also announced the start of the Transvaginal Mesh Case Record Review which is intended to look into concerns raised by women about whether case records accurately reflected the treatment that had been received. A £1m mesh fund to help towards the costs associated with emotional or practical support has also been established.