Law Firm Welcomes Welsh PIP Implant Decision

A decision by the Welsh Government to offer replacement breast implants on the NHS to women affected by the Poly Implant Prosthesis (PIP) scandal has been welcomed by leading law firm, Geldards LLP.

However, Angelina Rigby, a Partner and Head of Clinical Negligence at Geldards, says that women who received the implants could still claim compensation for the pain and psychological stress they have caused.

“Of course its good news that women in Wales can now have the implants removed and replaced on the NHS,” Angelina said. “But we would still urge anyone affected to take legal advice as soon as possible because they may have a claim against the clinic or hospital that carried out the procedure in the first place.”

The Welsh Government previously announced it would pay for removal and replacement of implants for NHS patients deemed in clinical need, but offered removal only for women who were treated privately.

Now the Welsh Health Minister, Lesley Griffiths, has admitted removing the implants and not replacing them could result in unsightly scarring, loose skin, the accumulation of fluids and a risk of infection.

In the rest of the UK, the Government has said it will only replace implants free of charge for those who were treated by the NHS and private clinics are being asked to make the same offer. So far four providers have offered to replace the implants without charge, but one is currently asking patients to pay the cost of replacement.

In France, where the implants were made, authorities have called for them to be removed from all patients. The authorities believe there is an increased chance of the implant - which is made from industrial grade silicone - rupturing and leading to complications.

In March 2011 the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) issued an alert recommending that these implants should not be used, however, they have stated that the rupture rate in the UK is less than in France and people should not worry.

Angelina added: “Wherever a patient lives, or wherever they have received treatment, they should seek legal advice as soon as possible as they could still claim compensation, regardless of whether their implants are being removed or replaced.”

Further help and advice on the issue is available from Geldards’ offices in Cardiff, Nottingham and Derby, or by contacting Angelina direct on 029 2039 1704.