30 Mar 2017
The Scottish Conservatives have described the Scottish Government report into mesh implants as a ‘whitewash’.
This was after the report claimed that the procedure was an appropriate procedure for women despite the many cases of severe suffering that it has caused.
It comes after several sufferers and an expert clinician resigned from the review as they were concerned about evidence being buried.
Scottish Conservative deputy leader Jackson Carlaw MSP said:
“This final publication which bears little if any resemblance to the interim review published last year, and it is now clear why some of those involved felt that they had to resign from the review.
“It is a whitewash of the damning evidence that was received by the Parliament, and is a disservice to the many women who are still suffering as a result of these implants.
“It is certainly not a justification for lifting the suspension on mesh implants, and we need to ensure that the procedures are still banned until further evidence is taken.
“What is especially disappointing is that the SNP have chosen to hide the publication of this report in the final day before recess amongst a string of other announcements.
“They seem to be determined to bury bad news rather than allow parliament to properly scrutinise this report.”
Scottish Conservative shadow secretary for health Donald Cameron MSP said:
“Today’s statement will have done little to reassure the many women who have suffered as a result of mesh implants.
“Given that the effects of the treatment cannot occur until years after the procedure, we need to ensure that we closely track all of those patients who undergo it.
“That is why we’re calling for the Scottish Government to commit to using a comprehensive and independent database, to allow a wider range of medical professionals to report adverse incidents and concerns.
“Only then will we be able to fully understand the true extent of the damage being done by mesh implants.”
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