Scottish Government announces surgical mesh removal partnership with Spire Bristol and Mercy Hospital, Missouri

Posted: 15/07/2021

The Scottish Government has recently announced that it has teamed up with two hospitals to offer any patient who underwent mesh surgery and now wants or needs to have the mesh removed. Contracts have been awarded to Spire Health Care Bristol and Mercy Hospital in Missouri, USA. The Government will give patients the choice of both hospitals and fund the treatment and the travel expenses associated with the surgery.

Surgical mesh was suspended in the UK in July 2018, following a review led by Baroness Cumberlege. This included the use of mesh in Scotland. The mesh left women (and men who underwent mesh surgery for issues with their bowels) with severe pain and life-changing side effects, including mesh erosion which often led to further surgery to remove the mesh. In England, there are a small number of specialist hospitals which perform mesh removal surgery.

Last year, the Scottish Government launched a £1.3 million national removal service based at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde. This service will also refer patients to specialist centres outside of Scotland, should a patient choose not to undergo treatment there. The Transvaginal Mesh Removal (Cost Reimbursement) (Scotland) Bill was passed to support women who have suffered as a result of vaginal mesh surgery. It covers the cost of mesh removal surgery as well as reimbursing women who have already paid to have the mesh removed privately, even if this was not performed within Scotland.

The partnership with Spire Health Care and Mercy Hospital has been established as part of the new bill. The Scottish Government advises this is an ongoing project and it aims to help as many women as possible obtain the care and treatment they want and deserve. This is a significant step in the right direction.

At Penningtons Manches Cooper, we deal with a wide range of mesh claims and the complications suffered as a result. If you believe you may have a claim following mesh surgery performed within England or Wales, please contact us for a free, no obligation discussion with one of our specialist lawyers. We are unable to assist with any Scottish claims, as they fall outside the English judiciary.

Return to news headlines