Women suffering complications after having a vaginal mesh implant will be treated from next month as the health service continues to recover from covid-19.

A national complex mesh removal surgical service will be delivered by a multi-disciplinary team in NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde from August.

Psychological support will also be provided as part of the new service, the Scottish Government says.

It comes after an expert group concluded in March of this year the NHS in Scotland did not stick to guidelines for treating women suffering from the complications of mesh implants.

The group recommended a single national service be established to help women get help to deal with the damage caused by the implants.

The Scottish Government is providing £1.3m for the first year of the new service that will provide ‘comprehensive assessments’ and vaginal mesh removal surgery for women over the age of 16 who have complications from mesh insertion (vaginally or abdominally) for urinary incontinence and prolapse.

A report published late last year detailed the ‘harrowing’ effects of mesh on some women who had been left debilitated and unable to work.

Campaigners – including Labour and Conservative MSPs – have previously called for US vaginal mesh surgeon, Dr Veronikis, to be brought to the UK to carry out removal surgery and train Scottish clinicians in the procedure.

In a letter published in the Sunday Post Dr Veronikis said he would not be coming to Scotland and that after months of discussions he believed Scottish clinicians and government officials did not want to work with him.

In September 2018 the health secretary ordered the cessation of any mesh implant procedures and says there is ‘no prospect’ of transvaginal mesh being reintroduced.

“We have listened to the women affected by mesh complications and this new service reflects their wish to have clear, single national pathway for treatment,” health secretary Jeane Freeman said today.                                

“Ongoing follow-up for pain management, psychological and psychosexual needs will be provided within services commissioned locally by the NHS Boards where patients live so their care can be delivered as close to home as possible.”

Earlier this month a £1m fund to support women with transvaginal mesh complications opened for applications. Eligible women stand to receive a maximum of £1,000 each.

Sign up to our bulletin sent twice a week so you don’t miss out on the latest jobs and health and social care news.