Chamber and committees

Questions and answers

Parliamentary questions can be asked by any MSP to the Scottish Government or the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body. The questions provide a means for MSPs to get factual and statistical information.

Written questions must be answered within 10 working days (20 working days during recess)
Other questions such as Topical, Portfolio, General and First Minister's Question Times are taken in the Chamber

Urgent Questions aren't included in the Question and Answers search. There is a SPICe fact sheet listing Urgent and emergency questions.

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Question reference: S5W-25682

Asked by: Neil Findlay, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 11 October 2019
Current Status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 8 November 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what progress had been made in obtaining budget approvals for mesh removal from women in Scotland by the US surgeon, Dr Veronikis.

Question reference: S5W-25665

Asked by: Neil Findlay, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 11 October 2019
Current Status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 8 November 2019

To ask the Scottish Government whether (a) it and (b) NHS Scotland was represented at the International Continence Society Conference in Gothenburg and, if so, whether an attempt was made to contact the US mesh surgeon, Dr Veronikis, at that event.

Question reference: S5W-25664

Asked by: Neil Findlay, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 11 October 2019
Current Status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 8 November 2019

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5F-03625 by Nicola Sturgeon on 10 October 2019 (Official Report, c.12), what its response is to reports that the US mesh surgeon, Dr Veronikis, is no longer planning to come to Scotland.

The First Minister and Chief Medical Officer have spoken to Dr Veronikis and the Chief Medical Officer, accompanied by Scottish clinicians, is visiting him in the US this week. The visit gives clinicians the opportunity to directly observe Dr Veronikis and members of his multidisciplinary team in his practice in a different healthcare environment and to explore how his skills could best be used in any return visit to Scotland.

Question reference: S5W-25678

Asked by: Neil Findlay, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 11 October 2019
Current Status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 8 November 2019

To ask the Scottish Government whether mesh patients will be offered a choice between tissue- and muscle-sparing removal, non-tissue and muscle-cutting removal or full and partial removal.

Question reference: S5W-25677

Asked by: Neil Findlay, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 11 October 2019
Current Status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 8 November 2019

To ask the Scottish Government whether the (a) Chief Medical Officer and (b) the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport has discussed with counterparts from the rest of the UK the possibility of the US mesh surgeon, Dr Veronikis, coming to Scotland.

Scottish Government officials partake in regular discussions with colleagues in the UK Government and other devolved administrations on matters relating to transvaginal mesh. Whilst officials have not held detailed discussions with other UK countries about bringing Dr Veronikis to Scotland, colleagues in the other administrations are keen that we keep them informed of developments.

In addition, officials have corresponded with the GMC concerning Dr Veronikis.

Question reference: S5W-25666

Asked by: Neil Findlay, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 11 October 2019
Current Status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 8 November 2019

To ask the Scottish Government whether (a) it and (b) NHS Scotland made an attempt to contact the US mesh surgeon, Dr Veronikis, when he was in the UK in September 2019, in light of the reports that he offered a meeting.

Question reference: S5W-25673

Asked by: Neil Findlay, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 11 October 2019
Current Status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 8 November 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding how many women have registered with lawyers to seek compensation for injuries and disability caused by mesh implants.

Question reference: S5W-25686

Asked by: Neil Findlay, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 11 October 2019
Current Status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 8 November 2019

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5F-03625 by Nicola Sturgeon on 10 October 2019 (Official Report, c.12), what action it plans to deal with the volume of women who have had partial mesh removal and now seek the remainder removed.

Any woman who is experiencing difficulties, including where she suspects this may be due to partial mesh removal, should not hesitate to speak to her GP or other clinicians involved in her case. Those clinicians are fully expected to treat the patient’s concerns seriously and to take appropriate action. The pathway of care for women who are experiencing complications is set out in answer to S5W-23623 on 6 June 2019.

All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx .

Question reference: S5W-25679

Asked by: Neil Findlay, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 11 October 2019
Current Status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 8 November 2019

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5F-03625 by Nicola Sturgeon on 10 October 2019 (Official Report, c.12), whether it will fund mesh removal surgery in the US for women if they do not opt for tissue- and muscle-sparing removal or non-tissue and muscle-cutting removal.

Health Boards may seek out-of-area treatments for patients where considered necessary and appropriate. However, any such referral is a matter for the patient and the clinicians involved in the case.

As indicated in answer to S5W-23623, answered on 6 June 2019, should a patient make a request of this kind, clinicians will initially have a discussion with that patient and, if agreed, will then refer it to the Health Board for consideration. The Health Board will review the application, in doing so considering whether the treatment requested can reasonably be provided in Scotland, and in due course will inform the clinician and patient whether the request is accepted.

All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx

Question reference: S5W-25685

Asked by: Neil Findlay, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 11 October 2019
Current Status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 8 November 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what the process is for commissioning partners in international mesh expertise, and how it ensures that bias is not an influencing factor.

The continued sharing of learning and experience is an accepted part of a clinician’s role. UK clinicians will seek to work with other clinicians or academics based on their reputation amongst peers and an assessment of the specific learning or technical practice they can bring.

Should any engagement require a formal contract, Health Boards will undertake due diligence as set out in answer to S5W-25684 on 8 November 2019.

All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx .