Question reference: S5W-29215
- Asked by: Alex Neil, MSP for Airdrie and Shotts, Scottish National Party
- Date lodged: 19 May 2020
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Current status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Jeane Freeman on 20 May 2020
Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its plans for the proposed £1 million fund for women with mesh complications.
Answer
The Scottish Government has heard – first hand – about the physical and emotional impact that mesh complications have had on those affected, as well as their families.
Having listened carefully, we have progressed plans for a £1 million fund to help support women with complications, and who had mesh implanted by or on behalf of a Scottish Health Board.
Successful applicants will receive a one-off payment of £1,000 to cover costs associated with emotional or practical support as they see most appropriate.
The views of women themselves were key to our approach in deciding how best to use the funds available. The Health and Social Care Alliance therefore asked a sample of women how they felt the fund should be allocated. The views expressed, including that each woman should be offered the same amount and that there should be no means testing, have been reflected.
The scheme, which will be run by NHS National Services Scotland, will open for applications at the start of July and run until the end of June next year.
It is important to stress that the scheme is not intended to represent compensation for any perceived wrongdoing by the NHS, nor to replace Department of Work and Pensions benefits for anyone who is unable to work as a result of their condition. Nonetheless, we hope this fund will help those women affected.
Further information on precise eligibility criteria and how to apply will be made available closer to the scheme opening date.