Mesh removal surgery

Patients will be able to visit private surgeons outside of Scotland to perform mesh removal.

Contracts have been awarded to Spire Health Care in Bristol and the Mercy Hospital in Missouri America, where Dr Dionysios Veronikis performs surgery.

NHS National Services Scotland invited tenders from appropriately qualified surgeons to carry out mesh removal where patients wish it to take place outside of the NHS. Surgery and travel costs to either clinic will also be covered. The contracts are expected to start later this summer.

This will complement the Complex Pelvic Mesh Removal Service already established in NHS Scotland and, alongside the option of referral to NHS England Centres, is intended to allow everyone affected to get the treatment and care that they need.

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.

“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.”

Background:

The contracts are subject to agreement of, and compliance with, the terms specified by NHS National Services Scotland (NHS NSS).

Last month the Scottish Government announced the cost of private surgery to remove transvaginal mesh will be reimbursed under a proposed new law. The Transvaginal Mesh Removal (Cost Reimbursement) (Scotland) Bill will establish a scheme which will reimburse those who have paid privately to undergo mesh removal surgery.

The Complex Pelvic Mesh Removal Service in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHS GGC) has been established and is continuing to develop with patient input. The multi-disciplinary team has been expanded to include four uro-gynaecologists and, further, any woman who expresses a preference to be treated outside of Scotland will be able to request a referral to one of the NHS England specialist centres.