The Scottish Government is in the process of setting up a 'Complex Mesh Removal Surgical Service' for women who have experienced complications after receiving a vaginal mesh implant. In the wake of NHS Scotland's ongoing recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, the service will be introduced gradually from the next month.
The service was established following a recommendation from the National Specialist Services Committee and NHS Board Chief Executives and will be delivered by a multidisciplinary team within NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde. It will receive more than £1.3 million in funding for 2020-2021 from the government.
Under the service, women aged >16 years with complications arising from vaginal or abdominal mesh insertion for urinary incontinence and prolapse will be offered extensive assessments and vaginal mesh removal surgery. In addition, they will also be provided with psychological support.
Health Secretary Jeane Freeman commented: "We recognise the distressing physical and emotional effects which mesh complications have had on women and we have already taken strong and decisive action, including halting the use of transvaginal mesh and developing a case note review."
This article originally appeared on Univadis, part of the Medscape Professional Network.
