SURVIVORS of horrific mesh implants should be reimbursed for their removal by the government, Scottish Labour has said.

In a debate on women’s health in Holyrood today, MSPs were urged to back demands for financial compensation for Scottish mesh survivors. 

Labour lodged an amended motion supporting calls from campaign groups that funding be made available immediately to cover the costs of mesh removal for any women forced to pay for private surgery. 

Hundreds of thousands of women around the world have suffered the pain of polypropylene mesh implants, some of whom have experienced life-changing injuries as a result. 

A charter of mesh care published by Scottish survivors has called for the establishment of a mesh-removal fund, to include unclaimed monies from a £1 million Scottish government already established. 

It would include covering the price of reasonable costs for mesh removal, as well as refunding reasonable costs to the small number of Scottish women forced to pay for complete mesh removal. 

Ahead of the debate, Carol Mochan MSP said: “This vote is an opportunity to do right by Scotland’s mesh survivors and give a guarantee that they will be able to access the compensation they deserve.

“These women have been let down time and time again. Ensuring they don’t have to pay for this essential surgery out of their own pocket is the least we can do to correct this historic injustice. 

“The SNP claim to support this in principle, but so far they have come up with more excuses than solutions. It is time to stop hiding behind technicalities and deliver this long-overdue funding.“

A vote on the motion took place after the Star went to press.