An Ayr gran has said she is “sceptical” of a new deal which will see women across Scotland able to travel to the US for mesh implant removals.
The new contract, announced by the Scottish Government last week, will see women who require the surgical removal of mesh implants offered surgery in Missouri, where Dr Dionysios Veronikis practices, as a potential treatment course.
The surgery will be free of charge, with associated costs such as travel and accommodation also covered by the NHS.
The announcement follows on from an agreed contract earlier this year with Spire Health Care in Bristol, where Professor Hashim Hashim operates.
Mesh implants have been used to treat incontinence and prolapse, conditions some women suffer after childbirth.
Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said the overall cost of the scheme was expected to reach up to £3m — including reimbursements for women who have already paid for private surgery — but there would be no cap on the funding that would limit the number of patients able to go to the US.
Ayr gran Evagail Dagleish, 61, says although “it’s too late for her” — after she had her mesh implant removed 10 days before the first lockdown in 2020 — she hopes the announcement can bring solace to hundreds of affected women and get them the help they need.
Former NHS worker Evagail had the TVT-O mesh implant inserted during a hysterectomy in 2005, and was left with years of crippling kidney and bladder pain. She also had urosepsis twice and is now on gentamicin installation to keep her out of the hospital.
She travelled down to Bristol to Professor Hashim for the op after going private and is in the process of a reimbursement for the £12,000 surgery.
But mum-of-three Evagail, who had to retire at 55 due to her health, admits she is sceptical of the proposed budget.
She said: “I still feel a bit sceptical because Humza Yousaf said there’d be no cap and it can go to whatever amount.
“Come on, how much money has the National Health got to fling at that?
“I hope that he does what he’s promised.
“These women have waited years and if they let them down again, I think that will be the end of some of them.
“A lot of these women have lost their jobs, partners, not able to do what they want with grandkids or family, have a social life, and the pain.
“Some of them lose their homes because they can’t work.”
Ayr MSP Siobhian Brown has welcomed the mesh implant removal deal, adding: “I am pleased that the Scottish Government has acted to ensure that women in Ayr, Prestwick and Troon and across Scotland seeking mesh removal surgery can access the surgery they need.”
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