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Reimbursement Scheme for private mesh removal to be opened in June

  • Area of Work: The ALLIANCE
  • Type: News Item
  • Published: 19th May 2022
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Women who paid to have transvaginal mesh removed by a private provider can now apply for reimbursement.

The ALLIANCE is pleased that the Mesh Reimbursement Fund (this link will take you away from our website) will open for application on 6 June 2022 . This scheme follows the passing of the Transvaginal Mesh Removal (Cost Reimbursement) (Scotland) Bill in the Scottish Parliament in January 2022.

The Transvaginal Mesh Removal Reimbursement Scheme will enable women who have paid for surgery to claim their money back. To be eligible, arrangements for treatment must be made by 3 June. For more information see here (this link will take you away from our website).

The ALLIANCE would like to extend thanks to the women who worked closely with us to ensure that the Bill and the Scheme were reflective of the lived experience of those that it would apply to.

In July 2021 and October 2021 the ALLIANCE hosted focus group discussions with six women who had paid for private mesh removal. Women generously shared their experiences, priorities and suggestions for the Scheme. Their feedback was shared with the Scottish Government to support the development of the Sheme.

The ALLIANCE, alongside the six women, also provided evidence to the Scottish Parliament’s Health, Social Care and Sport Committee in October 2021 in their capacity in scrutinising the Reimbursement Bill.

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

“Thank you to all women who have taken time to tell their stories and make this happen. The ALLIANCE is really pleased to have worked with women to achieve this outcome which will give women themselves choice and control.”

 

Notes to Editor

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.

Contact

ALLIANCE Mesh project

Mesh@alliance-scotland.org.uk

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