The Scottish government has confirmed contracts have been signed with centres in Bristol and the USA so women can travel outside Scotland for mesh removal surgery.

It was first revealed in January that the Scottish government was considering paying for women suffering from the complications of surgical mesh implants to travel for the procedure, after patients told ministers and MSPs they had no faith in any solution that involved the same surgeons who had advocated for the implants in the first place.

In late March, then Health Secretary Jeane Freeman agreed people who had paid for private treatment could be reimbursed by the NHS including for “travel, medical and other reasonable expenses”.

The government also held talks with specialist Missouri-based surgeon Dr Dionysios Veronikis.

Now ministers say the Mercy Hospital in Missouri, where Dr Veronikis works, and the Spire Bristol Hospital have been awarded contracts following an invitation to tender, under an arrangement which will see the travel costs to either clinic met by the NHS.

Last month the Scottish government started the process of creating the legislation – the Transvaginal Mesh Removal (Cost Reimbursement) (Scotland) Bill – to allow those who had already paid privately to be reimbursed.

The NHS has set up a national Complex Pelvic Mesh Removal Service hosted by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde for people willing to undergo the procedure in Scotland. Existing arrangements also allow women to be referred to NHS hospitals in England for the surgery.

Speaking after the publication of the contract documents, Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said it is important that the women concerned should be able to choose the approach that is best for them:

“While mesh removal surgeries are available within Scotland on the NHS, there are alternative options for those who feel unable to be treated in Scotland.

“We recognise the pain and suffering of women who have been impacted by complications as a result of transvaginal mesh implants.

“That is why we are absolutely determined to ensure those with mesh complications get the treatment that they want and need.”

Read more: Major breakthrough for mesh patients; New qualification proposed from mesh surgeons; Mesh women could be offered care outside Scotland; US mesh expert to give evidence to MSPs.

Sign up to our bulletin for key health & social care updates straight to your inbox.