7. To ask the Scottish Government whether it will initiate an independent review into the use of surgical mesh products within NHS Scotland. (S6O-02306)

The Scottish Government has already commissioned an independent review of transvaginal mesh implants and acted on the conclusions, which were published in March 2017. We have also implemented Baroness Cumberlege’s 2020 recommendations about transvaginal mesh.

More recently, we commissioned two reports from the Scottish Health Technologies Group on mesh used in hernia repair. Those reports supported its continued use, but stressed the importance of patient choice, availability of alternative treatments, informed consent and data collection—all of which the Government supports.

Freedom of information responses show that, from 2015 to this year, 8 per cent of all patients in NHS Ayrshire and Arran who were implanted with surgical mesh to treat a hernia were readmitted due to complications arising from the mesh. That suggests that there may be a connection, with surgical mesh products having a detrimental impact on the health of some hernia patients. Will the Minister meet campaigners who are calling on the Scottish Government to undertake an independent review into the use of mesh?

I thank Katy Clark for her supplementary question, and I appreciate the concerns that her constituents have. Scottish Government officials have previously offered to arrange a meeting between a small group of Katy Clark’s constituents and the

Scottish Health Technologies Group to discuss the findings of its reports into hernia mesh. That offer remains open, should they wish to take it up.

Action needs to be taken now to support women who have been affected by transvaginal mesh-related health issues. The median wait for referral to the complex mesh surgical service in Glasgow is 236 days, and the longest wait is 448 days. Women then need to wait a significant length of time to start treatment that will alleviate their symptoms—or even remove them, if they are fortunate. Women with that debilitating and life-altering condition need help, now. What action is the Government taking to accelerate the provision of that vital treatment?

The Government has taken note of the results of both the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee’s survey and one that was done by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde with regard to that issue, and it is looking at what improvements can be made.

Surgeries have restarted, a number have been carried out and the service expects that it will soon be able to operate within 12 weeks of a patient and her clinicians deciding on the course of treatment.

I confirm that the service is also taking action to increase its out-patient capacity, which includes an additional translabial scanner. That will allow more patients to be seen and I hope that progress from those actions will soon start to become evident.

The Deputy Presiding Officer:

That concludes portfolio questions on NHS recovery, health and social care.