1. I apologise to you, Presiding Officer, and to members because, after this question, I have to leave to attend a committee meeting.

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is regarding financial redress for vaginal mesh survivors in Scotland, in light of the recommendations contained within “The Hughes Report”. (S6O-03094)

We continue to review “The Hughes Report” and any implications for patients in Scotland. It is clear that the redress scheme that is envisaged would involve a very substantial financial commitment, which needs to be considered carefully. I and the Scottish Government recognise the pain and upset that women who are affected by mesh continue to endure. We remain committed to providing healthcare support that is focused on their needs, including a choice of surgeon for mesh removal when that is what the women want.

I have been contacted by vaginal mesh survivors in my Constituency who are keen for the Scottish Government to consider potential financial redress for them in light of “The Hughes Report” recommending a £20,000 interim scheme payment in England by 2025. There is also scope for potential further payments. All those payments are significantly above the £1,000 one-off payments that have been made so far in Scotland.

Although I appreciate that the report is specific to England, given the clear pain and suffering that survivors endure, does the Minister agree that the Scottish Government should still appropriately consider the report, including the issue of appropriate financial redress? In doing so, will the Scottish Government meaningfully engage with mesh survivors as part of its considerations?

I agree with what Bob Doris said. We will, of course, review the report carefully, and I wish to hear the views of women in Scotland who have been badly affected. We have often engaged with affected women to guide the development of national health service mesh services and direct Government support, and I am happy to commit to continuing to seek ways to do that in the future.

In all fairness, the United Kingdom Government has not yet responded to the report, so we do not know what its view will be. I credit the Scottish Government for making an immediate payment of £1,000 to affected women and for paying for women to go to the United States to have mesh removed.

On the back of the Cumberlege report, the Scottish Government was committed, in principle, to a further redress scheme. Is the Minister at least prepared to say that, in relation to a compensation scheme that might finally emerge, it would be unconscionable for women in Scotland to be in any way disadvantaged compared with women anywhere else? We were at the forefront internationally of responding to mesh, and it would be to our great detriment if we were to find ourselves falling behind.

I recognise the work that Jackson Carlaw has done, along with members across the chamber, for women in this situation. As he pointed out, the UK Government is yet to respond to the report. We are reviewing the implications for patients in Scotland. It would not be responsible for me to make a commitment without knowing the UK Government’s position, but I absolutely recognise what Jackson Carlaw suggested.

One of the recommendations of “The Hughes Report” is to improve access to disability benefits for transvaginal mesh survivors. What action is the Scottish Government taking to improve access to social security benefits for those who are adversely affected by transvaginal mesh or by hernia mesh? The Minister recently met some of my constituents who are directly affected.

I recognise Katy Clark’s work in supporting people with hernia mesh implants. If she does not mind, I will check and come back to her with a written response to her specific question.