American firm Boston Scientific has recently been ordered to pay £65 million in medical negligence compensation to a patient fitted with a faulty mesh implant.
This news is of particular relevance to Scotland as two of the implants designed and manufactured by Boston Scientific have been used by NHS Scotland to treat patients in geographical areas such as Glasgow and Clyde, Fife, Dumfries and Lanarkshire.
Mesh implants have been used to treat bladder conditions and pelvic organ prolapse; however, some patients have reported severe pain and other complications following insertion of the implant, which in some cases has also failed to improve original symptoms.
In March this year, Health Secretary Shona Robison urged health boards in Scotland still using the mesh implants to suspend any further planned surgical procedures until an independent review into the implants was published.
Commenting on the recent payout in America, Labour MSP Neil Findlay said, "Case after case in the US has shown the steps manufacturers took to cover up the truth. They've not only devastated lives, they have left the NHS facing huge medical bills to treat victims as well as leaving it wide open to costly legal actions likely to carry on for decades to come."
The Daily Record reports that more than 400 women in Scotland are taking legal action against the NHS and implant manufacturers due to experiencing serious complications or negative side effects following treatment.
If you have been affected by medical negligence, click here to find out more about how Thompsons Scotland could help you.
