On Tuesday 17th June at the Public Petitions Committee, Alex Neil, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing attended to answer questions before the Committee following their preliminary hearing.

Mr Neil somewhat took all by surprise by announcing that having considered matters he had written to the Chief Medical Officer for Scotland instructing him to write to all Health Boards asking that they immediately suspend use of all mesh/TVT products with immediate effect pending an independent review.

Full details on the scope of the review are still to be considered.

The Minister was very careful to avoid banning the use of the materials altogether but simply to allow a full investigation to be carried out and thereafter once the report was available to consider whether the continued use of these products is appropriate or otherwise.

The decision was greeted with enthusiastic applause from the Public Galleries predominantly occupied by women who have received the mesh implants that have not been successful.  The campaign that was launched by Elaine Holmes and Olive McIlroy to “Mesh Survivors” has also been sponsored by the Daily Record newspaper and they continue to campaign nationally for action to be taken and proper advice to be given to all ladies who have had the mesh implants.

Quantum Claims continues to act for almost 400 ladies in a class action against various manufacturers in Scotland.