‘We have waited a long time for this’: Mesh victims prepare to meet First Minister

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is to meet mesh victims to hear their concerns over the lack of a full mesh removal service in Scotland.

She will meet campaigners tomorrow in Glasgow and on Tuesday in Edinburgh to hear about their eight-year campaign against what has been called one of the biggest medical scandals of modern times.

Elaine Holmes of Scottish Mesh Survivors said: “We have waited a long time for this meeting, so we are determined to make it count.

“We are positive that when the First Minister meets us and sees for herself what our women have endured, she will give us her support and take the action we are calling for.

“We’ve played an active role in raising awareness to prevent other women being harmed, and are delighted we’re seeing these devices withdrawn around the world.

“This is the first time we’re asking for something to help ourselves, the hundreds of women in Scotland who have suffered devastating injuries.

“We need to ensure we get the right aftercare and removal services which will give us the best chance of not being left in agony for the rest of our lives, worrying about constant infections and the risk of sepsis and autoimmune illnesses being linked to plastic implants.”

The women are calling for world-renowned mesh removal expert Dr Dionysios Veronikis to be brought from the US to safely and fully remove mesh implants used to treat pelvic and bladder issues after childbirth.

They will present evidence to show Scotland’s surgeons are unable to fully remove the implants, and will be calling for removal services to be halted until Dr Veronikis comes here.

They will also be asking for a review of all removal cases, investment in a centre of excellence to treat victims, and a ban on the NHS purchasing mesh devices in future.

Mum of three Claire Daisley, 50, says Dr Veronikis “saved” her when he discovered she still had two-thirds of a mesh implant inside her after an attempted complete removal here.

Claire said: “We are the living proof Nicola Sturgeon needs to see with her own eyes.

“We now deserve to get the best treatment to repair the damage.”