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PIP breast implants: Harley Medical Group will not replace implants PIP breast implants: Harley Medical Group will not replace implants
(40 minutes later)
The Harley Medical Group, which fitted more PIP breast implants than any other UK cosmetic surgery firm, says it will not replace them free of charge.The Harley Medical Group, which fitted more PIP breast implants than any other UK cosmetic surgery firm, says it will not replace them free of charge.
It claimed replacing the banned implants would put the company out of business.It claimed replacing the banned implants would put the company out of business.
The government says private clinics who fitted implants have a "moral duty" to remove them.The government says private clinics who fitted implants have a "moral duty" to remove them.
However, the NHS will pay to remove, but not replace, implants if a private clinic refuses or no longer exists.However, the NHS will pay to remove, but not replace, implants if a private clinic refuses or no longer exists.
Around 40,000 women in the UK have been fitted with PIP implants. The Harley Medical Group said it fitted 13,900 women with the implants between September 2001 and March 2010.Around 40,000 women in the UK have been fitted with PIP implants. The Harley Medical Group said it fitted 13,900 women with the implants between September 2001 and March 2010.
Its chairman Mel Braham said the company had neither the resources, the surgeons, nor the operating facilities needed to do the surgery.Its chairman Mel Braham said the company had neither the resources, the surgeons, nor the operating facilities needed to do the surgery.
He said the government had a "moral responsibility" to replace the PIP implants. He said the government must accept "moral responsibility" for replacing the PIP implants.
"We're only sitting here today because the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), their own regulatory authority, has approved these implants and obviously hasn't done their proper checking.""We're only sitting here today because the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), their own regulatory authority, has approved these implants and obviously hasn't done their proper checking."
He added: "We're an innocent victim like everyone else, we're attempting to do our best for our patients." He added: "We're an innocent victim like everyone else, we're attempting to do our best for our patients.
On Tuesday, the Welsh government said it would pay to both remove and replace banned breast implants from women who were treated privately. Mr Braham was in agreement that implants should be removed and replaced if that was the patient's decision.
The French, German and Czech authorities have offered to pay for implants to be removed due to a high risk of them rupturing. But he said: "We can't take on this whole thing on our own, especially when it wasn't our fault."
Instead he said the Harley Medical Group would supply the NHS with the replacement implants.
Speaking in the House of Commons, the health secretary Andrew Lansley said: "Every provider has a responsibility to put things right."Speaking in the House of Commons, the health secretary Andrew Lansley said: "Every provider has a responsibility to put things right."
He said it was not fair for the taxpayer to foot the bill. He said it was not fair for the taxpayer to foot the bill and that if the NHS was forced to remove an implant "the government would pursue private clinics to seek recovery of our costs".
Mr Lansley also announced a review of how the situation emerged in the UK: "The blame for what happened lies with PIP, but this review will enable us to learn lessons to improve future regulatory effectiveness."
A register of implants put into patients, which would include heart valves and joint replacements as well as breast implants, will also be considered.
Unlike the rest of the UK, the Welsh government said it would pay to both remove and replace banned breast implants from women who were treated privately.
On Tuesday, the Welsh health minister, Lesley Griffiths, said: "Removing the implants and not replacing them could result in unsightly scarring, loose skin, and potentially the accumulation of fluids, need for drainage, and risk of infection."
A spokesman for the Department of Health said it did not recognise the Welsh argument.
The French authorities have offered to pay for implants to be removed due to a high risk of them rupturing.
The Czech and German health authorities state the implants should be removed. On Wednesday the Dutch health authorities said: "Even if there is no rupture, it is advisable ... to have the prothesis removed."