Official Report search · Parliament Workbench

Chamber

Meeting of the Parliament 14 June 2012

14 Jun 2012 · S4 · Meeting of the Parliament

Item of business

PIP Silicone Breast Implants

Fee, Mary Lab West Scotland Watch on SPTV

When I first heard about the PIP silicone scandal, I was shocked. I still cannot comprehend the feelings of anguish and worry that must have been—and still are—going through the affected women’s minds. They would have been asking themselves whether they had received faulty PIP implants, and, if so, whether the implants would rupture, when they would rupture and whether they would cause lasting damage to their health; they would have been asking when their implants could safely be removed.

The conflicting views of the French and UK Governments, as well the inaction of the Scottish Government, have not helped those women. A public inquiry is long overdue. It is vital that any public inquiry is conducted by an independent member of the judiciary, as happened with the Penrose inquiry and the inquiry into C diff at the Vale of Leven hospital. So far, official investigations into the PIP scandal have been concerned only with maintaining public confidence in the Government.

Labour’s seven-point plan, which was introduced this morning by my colleague, Jackie Baillie, is the best and only way to help PIP victims and to avoid this happening again. The Scottish Government argues that the matter is reserved and therefore that it cannot hold a public inquiry. However, the Government has a duty of care to the Scottish people and it has a primary responsibility for the nation’s public health issues.

Earl Howe’s report does not adequately answer all the questions that are posed by campaigners. They deserve answers. Critical questions remain, such as the extent of the scandal in Scotland and what can be done to avoid something like this happening in the future. That is why Earl Howe’s report cannot be a substitute for a public inquiry. Statistical evidence needs to be gathered to discover the extent of the scandal in Scotland. A public inquiry would help to determine a minimum standard of care that private health clinics must provide to operate in Scotland. It would also determine whether more could and should have been done by the Scottish Government and Scottish health service in this matter, irrespective of the restrictions imposed on the Scottish Government. It would give clear and unequivocal regulations, going forward.

I agree with the view that a thorough public inquiry could determine the practicality of forming a Scottish procurement body for all medical products that are brought into Scotland. As many of my colleagues will highlight today, such a body would consider clinical issues specifically for Scotland.

As the amount of reconstructive and cosmetic surgery continues to rise in Scotland, with thousands of procedures conducted, it is imperative that we introduce uniform regulation of private health providers and that they are held to the highest of standards.

The Cabinet Secretary for Health, Wellbeing and Cities Strategy must put herself into the shoes of the 4,000 women in Scotland who received faulty implants, including Jenny Brown and Emma Hardie, who are in the public gallery today. Their health has been put at risk and they are still suffering today. That group of women are asking why this happened in the first place and what their Government is doing to ensure that it does not happen again.

The Scottish Government has a duty of care for the health and wellbeing of the people of Scotland. Currently it is letting down those 4,000 women. There is a dire need for an independent, transparent and comprehensive public inquiry so that the best justice is given to one and all.

11:00

Search Hansard contributions

Meeting of the Parliament 14 June 2012

In the same item of business