Women With Faulty Breast Implants Feel 'Let Down' By Government

Women With Faulty Breast Implants Feel 'Let Down' By Governments
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Women fitted with faulty PIP breast implants have said they feel "let down" by the Government.

Ministers should have prioritised patients rather than examining what lessons could be learned from the scandal, they said.

Around 47,000 British women are believed to have been given the implants manufactured by French company Poly Implant Prothese (PIP).

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They were filled with non-medical grade silicone intended for use in mattresses and have been linked to rupture and swelling in the body.

Almost 200 women fitted with the implants provided first hand testimony to the Commons Health Committee.

One woman said that the Government's response to the scandal "hasn't helped us at all" while another accused ministers of "passing the buck".

The women also expressed concerns over the Lord Howe report into the scandal, which concluded the Government and health regulators have "serious lessons" to learn about the way they inform the public about concerns with medical devices.

One woman wrote: "We have been let down by the Government. I have a ruptured left implant, which is leaking silicone into my body.

"If there is no danger from toxins in the silicone, I guess it would be ok for me to donate blood next week. The Government needs to recall all of the PIP implants, then we will be able to move on with removing and replacing them, at no cost to ourselves. The Government's response to this outrage hasn't helped us at all."

Another said: "I think we have been very let down by our current Government. The Health Committee seem to have concerns for our health and the Government sees our situation from a purely financial point of view, avoiding any liability for itself."

Another woman added: "The way I see it is everyone is passing the buck and no one wants the responsibility for this dreadful mess."

She continued: "The Government have done nothing to help us victims and all the words are empty ones, we need action and now to sort this out sooner rather than later."

Speaking about Lord Howe's report, another added: "This report was very disappointing and like many other things in this country it is all about saving money and financial costs.

"It is sad and embarrassing and makes me ashamed to be a part of it. Five other countries have taken immediate action in support of their women - but no, not the British Government."

Committee chair MP Stephen Dorrell said: "We are extremely grateful to all the women who took the time and trouble to contribute to our web forum on PIP implants.

"The testimony we received is valuable, and some of it is harrowing. What it demonstrates is that women have significant concerns about how the matter has been handled by private clinics, by the NHS and by the Government."

Two weeks ago, experts said that ruptured PIP breast implants should not cause any long-term health problems.

The NHS Medical Directors expert group said that if devices rupture they could cause irritation but will not have any significant lasting effects.

The gel materials used inside the implants are not toxic or carcinogenic, they added.