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| MPs question Welsh policy on replacing faulty breast implants | MPs question Welsh policy on replacing faulty breast implants |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| A report by MPs into the breast implant scandal has questioned the Welsh government's policy on replacing them. | A report by MPs into the breast implant scandal has questioned the Welsh government's policy on replacing them. |
| The Welsh government has offered to pay to remove and replace banned PIP breast implants for those treated privately, while in England the NHS will remove but not replace them. | The Welsh government has offered to pay to remove and replace banned PIP breast implants for those treated privately, while in England the NHS will remove but not replace them. |
| It said implants should only be replaced on the NHS where there is a clinical need. | It said implants should only be replaced on the NHS where there is a clinical need. |
| Welsh ministers say they aim to help all women in Wales needing treatment. | Welsh ministers say they aim to help all women in Wales needing treatment. |
| The Commons report also criticised the approach taken in England. | |
| The Welsh government said that around 1,000 women in Wales had PIP implants and, of those, 309 had already been referred for treatment. | |
| Welsh Health Minister Lesley Griffiths angered UK Health Secretary Andrew Lansley by announcing all patients with the banned implants could have them replaced on the NHS, including those who received private treatment. | Welsh Health Minister Lesley Griffiths angered UK Health Secretary Andrew Lansley by announcing all patients with the banned implants could have them replaced on the NHS, including those who received private treatment. |
| A report by the Commons Health Committee said expert witnesses thought the Welsh government's policy "overestimates the problem". | A report by the Commons Health Committee said expert witnesses thought the Welsh government's policy "overestimates the problem". |
| Witnesses did not agree with Mrs Griffiths that there would "invariably be a clinical need for replacement" and that "the NHS should therefore provide replacements as a matter of course". | Witnesses did not agree with Mrs Griffiths that there would "invariably be a clinical need for replacement" and that "the NHS should therefore provide replacements as a matter of course". |
| MPs also criticised the fact that UK health ministers refused to allow English patients to pay privately to have replacement implants from the NHS as part of the procedure of removal. | MPs also criticised the fact that UK health ministers refused to allow English patients to pay privately to have replacement implants from the NHS as part of the procedure of removal. |
| The committee said this refusal "flies in the face of common sense". | The committee said this refusal "flies in the face of common sense". |
| In England, patients who had implants privately can have them removed, but not replaced, on the NHS if the clinic will not help. | In England, patients who had implants privately can have them removed, but not replaced, on the NHS if the clinic will not help. |
| The committee said that meant patients being operated on twice and urged the NHS in England to remove and replace, with a charge for the latter. | The committee said that meant patients being operated on twice and urged the NHS in England to remove and replace, with a charge for the latter. |
| UK Ministers said allowing people to pay for treatment would set a precedent. | UK Ministers said allowing people to pay for treatment would set a precedent. |
| 'Risk of infection' | 'Risk of infection' |
| Referring to expert witnesses, the MPs said they did not agree with Ms Griffiths' view that there would invariably be a clinical need for replacement "as a matter of course" on the basis that not replacing the implants could lead to scarring, loose skin, need for drainage and risk of infection. | Referring to expert witnesses, the MPs said they did not agree with Ms Griffiths' view that there would invariably be a clinical need for replacement "as a matter of course" on the basis that not replacing the implants could lead to scarring, loose skin, need for drainage and risk of infection. |
| The MPs said that NHS medical director Sir Bruce Keogh stated that such a view overestimates the problem and underestimates the quality of surgery offered by consultant NHS surgeons. | The MPs said that NHS medical director Sir Bruce Keogh stated that such a view overestimates the problem and underestimates the quality of surgery offered by consultant NHS surgeons. |
| In its conclusions, the report says: "The committee agrees that replacement implants for private patients should only be provided on the NHS where there is a clinical need." | In its conclusions, the report says: "The committee agrees that replacement implants for private patients should only be provided on the NHS where there is a clinical need." |
| A Welsh government spokesperson said: "The minister has said consistently there is no clinical evidence to suggest PIP breast implants should be removed routinely. | A Welsh government spokesperson said: "The minister has said consistently there is no clinical evidence to suggest PIP breast implants should be removed routinely. |
| "Where a woman has received a PIP breast implant privately, the private provider has a duty of care to replace, where there are concerns. However, where a woman is unable to seek redress from the private provider, the NHS in Wales will remove and replace these breast implants where deemed clinically appropriate." | "Where a woman has received a PIP breast implant privately, the private provider has a duty of care to replace, where there are concerns. However, where a woman is unable to seek redress from the private provider, the NHS in Wales will remove and replace these breast implants where deemed clinically appropriate." |
| The spokesperson said it supported replacement implants if it was in the patient's best interest. | The spokesperson said it supported replacement implants if it was in the patient's best interest. |
| "The Welsh government position on PIP implants has been clear and consistent, and is aimed at helping all women in Wales who are assessed by a doctor as needing treatment." | "The Welsh government position on PIP implants has been clear and consistent, and is aimed at helping all women in Wales who are assessed by a doctor as needing treatment." |
| Sally Taber from the Independent Healthcare Advisory Service, which represents private cosmetic clinics backed the Welsh government's actions. | Sally Taber from the Independent Healthcare Advisory Service, which represents private cosmetic clinics backed the Welsh government's actions. |
| "Now we've got this further report we really must work together," Ms Taber told BBC Radio Wales. | "Now we've got this further report we really must work together," Ms Taber told BBC Radio Wales. |
| "I work together with the Welsh government and I have to say they have worked well with the organisations. | "I work together with the Welsh government and I have to say they have worked well with the organisations. |
| "No independent hospital in Wales implanted a PIP implant. They didn't use them." | "No independent hospital in Wales implanted a PIP implant. They didn't use them." |
| In a leaked letter earlier this year, Mr Lansley requested that the UK Department of Health be given advance notice of public health decisions made by the Welsh government. | In a leaked letter earlier this year, Mr Lansley requested that the UK Department of Health be given advance notice of public health decisions made by the Welsh government. |
| To qualify for NHS treatment in Wales, including replacement implants, patients need to show they have the PIP implants, that they live in Wales, have a GP in Wales and that their private clinic has refused to support them. | To qualify for NHS treatment in Wales, including replacement implants, patients need to show they have the PIP implants, that they live in Wales, have a GP in Wales and that their private clinic has refused to support them. |