Contract signed for mesh removal surgery

NHS National Services Scotland have signed with Dr Veronikis, so people can visit for mesh removal surgery in the US.

The ALLIANCE is very pleased to see today’s announcement that a contract, to enable NHS patients to visit Dr Dionysios Veronikis in the United States to receive transvaginal mesh removal surgery, has now been signed. Surgery for mesh removal, and associated costs such as travel and accommodation, will be paid for by the NHS.

NHS National Services Scotland will now work closely with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and local health boards to take forward arrangements for those who wish to travel to the USA for mesh removal surgery.  Arrangements are also underway for the first people to travel to Bristol to visit Professor Hashim Hashim at Spire Healthcare for private removal.

More information can be found here within a Scottish Government press release (this link will take you away from our website)

The ALLIANCE spoke with women in 2021 who had previously travelled to Dr Veronikis for mesh removal. Women spoke of their experiences, and their priorities for a future contract. Feedback from women was then shared with the Scottish Government and NSS. The ALLIANCE also gave evidence, alongside six women in October 2021, to the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee on the topic of private mesh removal.

Irene Oldfather, Director of Strategic Partnerships and Engagement, says:

“The ALLIANCE is pleased to see the contract with Dr Veronikis finalised, and that women’s voices have been heard. From our engagement with women with lived experience of mesh, we know women appreciate having options for their treatment. Thank you to the women we spoke with who took the time to share their experiences with us, and who we were pleased to give evidence alongside to the Health, Social Care and Sport Commitee.’

If you have lived experience of mesh, you can sign up to the ALLIANCE’s stakeholder mailing list. You will be kept up-to-date with opportunities to input to policy and service development, and news around mesh. Email mesh@alliance-scotland.org.uk to sign up.

Notes

The Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland (the ALLIANCE) have undertaken independent engagement work with women across Scotland who have lived experience of transvaginal mesh since 2019.

With our first report, My Life, My Experience (2019) we engaged with 46 women from across Scotland who all shared their experience of living with complications following transvaginal mesh surgery, and the impact these complications have had on their lives.

Our second report, My Path, My Health, My Life (2021) heard from women about their patient experience in Scotland in order to involve them in the development of the National Complex Mesh Surgical Service based in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.

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