To ask the Scottish Government what action will be taken following the debate on 5 March 2019 concerning transvaginal mesh removal.
Having listened carefully to the views of women who have been affected by complications, as well as those of fellow MSPs, I can confirm officials will undertake further work with Accountable Officers, who are responsible for ensuring high vigilance measures are followed in stress urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse surgery. Officials will expedite a meeting of the Accountable Officers and other relevant specialists to look again at the course of care for patients suffering complications. In particular and where reasonable, I want them to ensure women have some choice regarding the place of treatment and the clinicians involved. I also ask that they:
- sharing experience, techniques and learning with colleagues in Europe and USA. For this to be successful it is important that surgeons and clinical teams engage with counterparts of proven merit and who are regarded by the professionals as leaders and innovators in their field;
- examine the complex education and training requirements we must have to ensure a sustainable and resilient high quality service;
- review the course and organisation of care for patients suffering complications in Scotland with a broader UK perspective; and
- identify the resource requirements to provide the service our patients need.
Senior medical managers in Health Boards in Scotland, academic and other advisers, and advocates for affected women will be asked to contribute to this work. The first meeting will be held as soon as is practicable and I will write to campaigners within a month to set out the probable timescales.
Further, a meeting with a representative group of campaigners will be arranged in order to seek their views on service development.