Chamber and committees

The member is referred to the answer to S5W-25679 on 8 November 2019.

All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx .

A specialist mesh complications clinician was present at the conference in question. Whilst that clinician intended to speak to Dr Veronikis, she was not able to as he departed before she had the opportunity.

The First Minister and Chief Medical Officer have spoken to Dr Veronikis and the Chief Medical Officer, accompanied by Scottish clinicians, is visiting him in the US this week. The visit gives clinicians the opportunity to directly observe Dr Veronikis and members of his multidisciplinary team in his practice in a different healthcare environment and to explore how his skills could best be used in any return visit to Scotland.

Where practical to do so, Ministers use public transport or walk to their engagements. Due to the nature of engagements and the requirement to carry out sensitive Government business, the First Minister has not used the bus as a means of transport when on official business.

The Scottish Government would encourage any woman who is pursuing a case to apply for Legal Aid should she feel she may qualify. Advice on Legal Aid is available here .

NHS Central Legal Office confirms that no cases that are part of a large group action have been settled out of court. It is understood a small number of individual clinical negligence cases involving mesh have settled in this way; however for reasons of confidentiality a precise number cannot be stated.

Any material taken to the US will be determined by the clinicians undertaking the visit.

All cases are treated individually depending on the circumstances of the patient in question. In each case the Scottish Government expects all appropriate and available treatments to be discussed with the patient, allowing the patient to give their informed consent.

Scottish Government officials partake in regular discussions with colleagues in the UK Government and other devolved administrations on matters relating to transvaginal mesh. Whilst officials have not held detailed discussions with other UK countries about bringing Dr Veronikis to Scotland, colleagues in the other administrations are keen that we keep them informed of developments.

In addition, officials have corresponded with the GMC concerning Dr Veronikis.

Any woman who is experiencing difficulties, including where she suspects this may be due to partial mesh removal, should not hesitate to speak to her GP or other clinicians involved in her case. Those clinicians are fully expected to treat the patient’s concerns seriously and to take appropriate action. The pathway of care for women who are experiencing complications is set out in answer to S5W-23623 on 6 June 2019.

All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx .