A SPECIALIST service to perform mesh removal operations on women who have been left suffering after surgery is to be set up by the NHS.

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said the Scottish Government will provide more than £1.3million to support the new Complex Mesh Removal Surgical Service in 2020/21.

The service will be based within NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde but will treat women from across the country.

Doctors will carry out comprehensive assessments and vaginal mesh removal procedures on women over the age of 16 who have suffered complications.

Among those whose lives were devastated by mesh operations are Olive McIlroy and Elaine Holmes, who campaigned tirelessly to raise awareness of the issue.

Olive, from Renfrew, and Elaine, from Newton Mearns, were jointly awarded the Amazing Lifetime Inspiration prize at last year’s No.1 Amazing Women Awards in recognition of their efforts.

Announcing the new service, Ms Freeman said: “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.

“I have now asked NHS National Services Division to establish a national designated service for complex mesh removal for those who require specialist surgery to mitigate complications of their surgery.

“We have listened to the women affected by mesh complications and this new service reflects their wish to have a clear, single national pathway for treatment.

“Ongoing follow-up for pain management, psychological and psychosexual needs will be provided within services commissioned locally by the NHS boards where patients live so their care can be delivered as close to home as possible.”

Read all the latest from Renfrewshire and beyond

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