For the first time, I’ve totally agreed with our Secretary of State for Health, Andrew Landsley.

After discussion with an Expert Group led by Sir Bruce Keogh, NHS Medical Director, Mr Landsley has reported to Parliament today the following recommendations  :

• Although there is no link between the faulty PIP implants and risk of cancer, the implants are sub-standard and removal is an acceptable precautionary measure.
• All women who had their implants in the NHS will be entitled to removal and replacement in the NHS
• Women who had their implants in the private sector should receive a similar standard of care from their surgeon/clinic in the private sector
• For those women whose private surgeon/clinic no longer exist or whose private surgeon/clinic have refused to treat them free of charge, the NHS will remove the implants but not replace them

BMI, Spire and the Nuffield private healthcare groups have agreed to replace the implants for their patients free of charge.

Harley Medical Group and the Transform Group who have carried out the majority of the surgeries using these implants have not agreed to remove/replace the implants for their patients free of charge. I am unsure of the stance from the Hospital Group and other private providers who also used these implants.

The Welsh government have decided that they will treat all patients, NHS and private, with removal and replacement in the NHS. Is this justifiable use of taxpayers money?