AN MSP has been thrown out of Holyrood’s chamber after accusing SNP Health Secretary Jeane Freeman of lying.
Scottish Labour’s Neil Findlay made the comments after Ms Freeman confirmed a specialist US surgeon will be invited to Scotland to help treat women whose lives have been ruined by surgical mesh implants.
Last year, Scotland’s health boards were told to “immediately halt” the use of transvaginal mesh implants to treat pelvic organ prolapse and stress urinary incontinence, amid concerns over women suffering chronic pain.
Ms Freeman told MSPs she had not instructed any planning to lift this suspension and the Scottish Government “has undertaken no work to that effect”.
But Mr Findlay quoted from minutes taken at a meeting of accountable officers to the Scottish Government’s working group on mesh in February, which suggest the implants will be reintroduced.
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He said: "The Cabinet Secretary has either lied to the women in Scotland, lied to this parliament, or she hasn't a clue what the chief medical officer is doing on her behalf. Which one is it?"
He later refused to retract the accusation after being pulled up by Presiding Officer Ken Macintosh, and was expelled from the chamber.
Speaking afterwards, he said: “Jeane Freeman is not being straight with mesh survivors.
“Either she lied about instructing her officials to investigate reintroducing mesh implants or is so incompetent she does not have a clue what is going on inside her own department.
“Hundreds of women across our country have been let down, and they are being let down again by this Health Secretary.
“It is time for Jeane Freeman to come clean over why her working group was drawing up plans to reintroduce mesh into this country.”
Addressing the claims, Ms Freeman told MSPs: “The halt will not be lifted and I can see no circumstances in which it will.”
Mesh implants were commonly used to relieve incontinence and pelvic prolapse, particularly after childbirth.
But many women have been left in excruciating pain as a result of the procedure, which often cannot be fully reversed.
St Louis-based Dr Veronikis, a world-leading mesh expert, previously offered to come to Scotland if the NHS pays his costs and covers his earnings.
Sufferers insist his “micro-surgery” technique would help rid them of their debilitating pain and allow them to lead normal lives again.
Speaking in Holyrood, Ms Freeman said: “I have asked that we look to bring Dr Veronikis to Scotland as soon as possible.
“The intention will be for him to work with the clinical service in a complimentary fashion to provide treatment, expert advice and training.
“I want this to be a valued partnership that benefits patients now and over the long term.”
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However, Ms Freeman said regulation in this area is reserved and she is yet to hear back from UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock.
She added: "With appropriate agreement and sponsorship by the service, I hope Dr Veronikis can visit by the autumn."
Scottish Labour's Monica Lennon said the timeline for Dr Veronikis' arrival is a "little disappointing".
She said: "Autumn is no use for women like Claire Daisley from Greenock, who is set to lose her bowel and her bladder from next month.
"Claire's body is swelling up because of her mesh injuries and she is basically trapped in her own home.”
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