Edit breast implant patients from private clinics

<p>Of those originally given PIP implants via the NHS, 653 out of 741 patients have now been contacted and offered a consultation to discuss their care, however so far only 9 women have requested a scan and 17 have decided to have their implants removed (a replacement is of course on offer for these NHS patients).</p> <p>With an estimated number of 40,000 women affected by the PIP health scare in the UK, figures of nearly 3,000 having to turn to the NHS represents 7.5% of those treated, not a large percentage but enough to spark concerns within the industry that private clinics are perhaps not facing up to their responsibilities.</p> <p>The British Association of Aesthetic Plastics Surgeons (BAAPS) last week released a statement in which they claimed that patients were being sent to the NHS to undergo further surgery in cases of PIP rupture. BAAPS expressed concern that some clinics had allegedly claimed not to have the skills to treat problems stemming from rupture and asserted that any trained and qualified plastic surgeon would be able to efficiently address such repercussions so put it forward that such measures could in fact be a cost-containment exercise by private clinics.</p> <p>According to consultant plastic surgeon and former BAAPS President Nigel Mercer; “I’ve recently seen a number of patients with lumps in their armpits - in one woman's case, the surgeon directly admitted to her not having the skills to remove them. In another instance, the clinic itself told the patient their surgeons weren't competent enough to perform the procedure. Either these clinics' practitioners aren’t qualified plastic surgeons as is generally claimed on their websites, which is clearly alarming, or they don’t want to bear the costs of caring for their own patients. Frankly, neither option should be acceptable to the women affected.”</p> <p>Anne Milton met with five women to talk about their experiences with PIP breast implants last week and to discuss the treatment they had all received so far. In a statement the Department of Health said; “It has clearly been a difficult time for them. It was a positive conversation and we pledge to work together to ensure women are supported and have good timely information about PIP implants and the Department’s position.”</p> <p>The latest advice from the NHS and plastic surgery experts is that women with PIP breast implants do not need to have them removed unless they have symptoms such as pain and tenderness. There is no link to cancer and there is no clear evidence of an increased risk of harm compared to other brands of breast implants. The Government has therefore advised women to take 3 steps to reassure themselves:</p> <ol> <li>Find out if they have PIP implants by checking their medical notes. This information can be accessed for free from clinics or through GPs. Women who had PIP implants on the NHS will receive a letter in the next few weeks.</li> <li>Speak to their GP or surgeon. Women who had PIP implants on the NHS should speak to their specialist or GP and women who had them done privately should speak to their clinic.</li> <li>Agree what’s best for you. Women should get advice on whether or not they need a scan then discuss appropriate action with their doctor.</li> </ol>

Selected: Text Block Text Block Full Width Image Banner Image Side By Side Images Left Aligned Image Right Aligned Image Quote Video

No Background Colour CR Purple Medium Purple Light Purple Dark Pink Light Pink Light Grey Dark Grey No Background Colour