SCOTTISH women who need to have mesh implants surgically removed will now be able to get free treatment in England or the US.
The Scottish Government announced that contracts have been awarded for private surgery to Spire Health Care in Bristol and the Mercy Hospital in Missouri, America.
Dr Dionysios Veronikis, a surgeon who had previously offered to come to Scotland to help women who were suffering after the mesh implants, is based at the Missouri centre.
Veronikis eventually wrote to former health secretary Jeane Freeman to say the offer had been “permanently withdrawn” after accusing the government of breaking promises and stating that his “goodwill has been abused”.
READ MORE: Scottish Government plans bill to pay for women's mesh removal surgeries
Implant use was stopped in Scotland after women were left suffering from painful and sometimes life altering side effects.
Transvaginal mesh implants were used primarily for the treatment of pelvic organ prolapse or stress urinary incontinence.
And now, NHS National Services Scotland have awarded two contracts after inviting tenders from surgeons who are qualified to remove the mesh implants.
This is to allow women who wish to have the surgery take place outside the NHS, with the surgery and travel costs to either clinic covered by the Scottish Government. The contracts are expected to start later this summer.
Operations cost between £16,000 and £23,000, and the Transvaginal Mesh Removal (Cost Reimbursement) (Scotland) Bill proposes a scheme to reimburse those who have paid for private treatment.
Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said: “While mesh removal surgery is available within Scotland on the NHS, these are alternative options for those who feel unable to be treated in Scotland.
READ MORE: Mesh-injured women are being betrayed by surgeons refusing to listen
“We recognise the pain and suffering of women who have been impacted by complications as a result of transvaginal mesh implants. That is why we are absolutely determined to ensure those with mesh complications get the treatment that they want and need.”
It was announced last July that a specialist Complex Pelvic Mesh Removal Service was being set up as part of NHS Scotland, with the Scottish Government committing more than £1.3 million.
We have a specialist team in NHS Scotland who are able to carry out mesh removal, however, I know that some women affected want options outwith NHS.
— Humza Yousaf (@HumzaYousaf) July 12, 2021
Contracts have been awarded to Spire Health Care in Bristol & Mercy Hospital in Missouri, where Dr Veronikis performs surgery. https://t.co/iraJZELMmG
But Dr Veronikis had questioned whether women would be willing to be treated at the specialist centre, if they were to be cared for by the surgical teams who had performed their initial operations.
Last month the government also confirmed plans to reimburse the cost of private surgery for women who have already had transvaginal mesh removed.
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