Health officials say PIP scandal needed better oversight

An independent review by NHS medical director Sir Bruce Keogh into cosmetic interventions has revealed systematic failings which could have contributed to the scale of the PIP breast implant scandal.

The review published today (Wednesday) highlighted a lack of data in relation to cosmetic procedures and described the PIP implants as a “data free zone”. The review is calling for a register for people who carry out cosmetic procedures to ensure information is more readily available and to enable problems such as those experienced by the PIP victims to be identified more quickly.

It is estimated around 4,000 Scottish women were fitted with PIP implants which were made with industrial grade silicone rather than medical silicone. Trisha Devine is one of those women and is spokeswoman for the PIP Implants Scotland campaign group. She says she has mixed emotions over the review. Ms Devine said: “The report really is of little comfort to the thousands of Scottish women who have gone to hell and back since the PIP scandal came to light and is a case of too little too late. While it is encouraging that there is a will to improve the regulation of the cosmetic industry it will not turn the clocks back and take away the pain, anguish and suffering myself and so many others have experienced.”

The review has also supported the right for the PIP victims to redress with Sir Bruce Keogh stating: “People should have redress. We think that the role of the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman should be extended to cover the whole of private health care.” Thompsons Solicitors is acting for hundreds of women who were fitted with the faulty implants and Partner Patrick McGuire said: “While the report is helpful what we need is for the Scottish Government to stop dragging its heels and act to address the problem here in Scotland in relation to the PIP implant scandal. The cosmetic industry is crying out for tighter regulations and although we support these moves wholeheartedly in the shorter term we need answers for the hundreds of women who have had their lives turned upside down as a result of having faulty medical devices implanted into their bodies and in some cases have had their health irreversibly impaired.

“A complete overhaul to the industry is essential to prevent a repeat of the PIP scandal and Thompsons will be working with health officials to ensure this is done in a way which is fit for purpose.”

The founder of the company Poly Implant Prothese Jean Claude Mas is currently on trial in France charged with fraud and causing involuntary injury. The trial is expected to run until mid May.

ENDS

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