PIP IMPLANTS - LATEST POSITION
Following on from the publication of the interim inquiry report on 4 January 2012 the current position in relation to the PIP implants, as far as the Department of Health is concerned is as follows:
1. There is no basis for routine removal of the implants.
2. There is no evidence of a link with cancer.
3. There is a concern about the nature of the silicone used and further investigation is needed.
4. It is acknowledged that patients do need support and are understandably concerned.
What is clear from the report is that the treatment options for patients will differ depending on whether the implants were put in privately or by the NHS.
NHS patients
If implants were put in on the NHS then they will take them out AND replace them where there is a clinical justification or unresolved concerns which merit their removal. This latter reason, could give scope to remove the implant where a patient is very distressed but there are no clinical signs of rupture or otherwise.
2. There is no evidence of a link with cancer.
3. There is a concern about the nature of the silicone used and further investigation is needed.
4. It is acknowledged that patients do need support and are understandably concerned.
What is clear from the report is that the treatment options for patients will differ depending on whether the implants were put in privately or by the NHS.
NHS patients
If implants were put in on the NHS then they will take them out AND replace them where there is a clinical justification or unresolved concerns which merit their removal. This latter reason, could give scope to remove the implant where a patient is very distressed but there are no clinical signs of rupture or otherwise.
The NHS will arrange for tests to be done to rule in or out the possibility of rupture where there are concerns.
Requests to the NHS for confirmation that a patient has had a PIP implant will be processed for free ie they will not charge the usual £50.00 fee.
You can read the Report and letters to Doctors from the DoH here:
Private Patients
The NHS expects private clinics to offer the same deal that they have.
However, if the implants were put in by the private sector AND either the clinic no longer exists or it is refusing to treat then the NHS will deal with removal only on the same basis as for NHS patients. They will not replace the implants in such circumstances.
So far there have been some reports from private clinics, setting out their response.
BMI healthcare -
"We have decided that any patient who paid BMI Healthcare for their PIP implant surgery and who wishes now to have their PIP implant removed and replaced will be able to do so, at no cost. In support of the wider objective of helping all affected patients of other providers, BMI Healthcare is willing to offer the same rapid and clinically robust service to those providers or direct to their patients on a guaranteed fixed price package.
If you would like further information, please contact our national helpline on 0800 533 5087."
Transform -
They have stated that they will not replace / remove the implants but will allow patients to have a free consultation to consider their options further.
Their press release is here.
Christian Beadell, Associate Solicitor within the Clinical Negligence Department of Goodmans Law commented on this news -
“The published report does help to give a fair degree of certainty over the approach being taken by the NHS and is a welcome first step. We hope that there will now be a continued review of these implants and the silicone used so that patients can make more informed decisions about whether or not to have their implants removed.”
If you have any concerns in relation to the above issues, please contact Goodmans Law’s specialist Medical Negligence Department on 0800 073 0385 (0151 257 6000) or by email at FRT@goodmanslaw.co.uk
Goodmans Law are specialists in dealing with clinical negligence and personal injury claims.
Our First Response Team is available from 8am to 8pm every business day.
