Breast Implants

[jd_here]

Is the Government correct in refusing to fund the removal of faulty breast implants that were fitted for cosmetic reasons?

[jno]

If they're damaging someone's health, the NHS ought to treat them, just as it treats anyone else whose health is damaged. It's irrelevant whether the patients paid for them to be implanted, just as it's irrelevant whether those with lung cancer have paid for the cigarettes that caused it.

Removal just as a precautionary measure, however, is a different matter; I think people should pay for that themselves.

[boxtops]

I agree with jno - the British government have assessed the risk and found it minimal. If people want them taken out just in case, they'll have to pay (and what, then, will they replace them with? - they can't leave a gap!)

[LazyGun]

Broadly speaking, yes, i think they are.Were the NHS to fund the removal and replacement of those that had been implanted for cosmetic reasons, the taxpayer would essentially be funding cosmetic surgery and private clinics.

One thing is for certain - that the regulation of cosmetic surgeons, implants and clinics is improved, and that part of the fee for any kind of cosmetic surgery should include insurance in case of medical complications over time linked to the cosmetic procedure. The taxpayer should not have to subsidise cosmetic surgeons, or those members of the public who wish to have cosmetic surgery.

A summary of the NHS position here;
http://www.google.com...94dc09e420883c3efe921

[DTCwordfan]

(i) NHS to cover their implant patients, c. 5% of the 40k, that is fine

(ii) IMHO, Private Clinics should cover all costs on their ex-private patients. They put them in, they made the choice, yes they can't sue as PIP is bankrupt - however, they should also have insurance for liability on this type of thing......

(iii)If a med emergency, NHS to operate - but then send the bill to the Private Clinic.

Simple.

[LazyGun]

Since we are are on the topic - I was staggered by the degree of criminal complacency and lack of concern for the recipients of the implants shown by the owner and senior directors of PIP, articulated in this Telegraph article;

http://www.telegraph....rs-said-PIP-boss.html

[daffy654]

It turns out that it isn't just breast implants on women that are a problem, the same company also made pectoral implants for men and prosthetic testicles for men who had to have theirs removed due to cancer.

[VHG]

>>>>Boxtops - I agree with jno

I think if you read jno's update he says the government should pay, you seem to be saying the total opposite.

So not sure how you can say you agree with jno.

[daffy654]

Have the government confirmed they won't fund the removal of these implants through the NHS?

According to the Daily Telegraph they have said they WILL fund it.

[daffy654]

Actually, they will fund replacements for implants for reconstruction is what the article says.

Sorry.

[rojash]

According to what I just saw on ITN, the NHS will remove the implants of people who had them done privately, but not replace them. Seems fair enough to me.

Maybe I'm just a b'stard but I find it very difficult to sympathise with women who had implants for purely cosmetic reasons. It's not as if this is the first time that health issues have arisen.

[jd_here]

Forgive me if i'm wrong daffy, but i thought i heard on the 6 o'clock news that they said they wouldn't.

[LazyGun]

It all seems open to question.

Its my understanding that they will replace those implants of those women who had a PIP implant on the NHS who are concerned about it.

They will not fund any of the PIP implants done in a private clinic for (one assumes) cosmetic reasons, and expect the clinics concerned to offer a similar deal to the one the NHS is offering its patients.

Should anyone present with serious health complications that can be linked to a PIP implant, then I think the NHS should treat them, and I think that is what is being implied with the current govt/NHS stance....

[jno]

just to be clear: if there's nothing wrong with someone, I don't see why the NHS should pay for further surgery to remove implants, just because the implantee is starting to regret it.

But if anyone's health is already deteriorating because of an implant, the NHS should deal with it, just as it does when any other treatment, or any other action in life generally, goes wrong.

[bednobs]

what i find odd is that the clinics seem to be saying "not our fault, we bought the implants in good faith"
however, my understanding of the law is if you've bought something not fit for purpose, your recourse is the retailer not the manufacturer

[daffy654]

You are spot on bednobs, the clinics are liable for the cost, they would then have to chase the supplier to reimburse their own costs. However I believe the clinics are all refusing to do anything whatsoever.

[EDDIE51]

Am I alone in thinking that doctors that make a fortune by doing 'cosmetic surgery' for non medical reasons are at least very close to breaking the Hippocratic Oath if they have not actually broken it?
In my opinion 'boob jobs, nose jobs and the rest are just for vanity and medically trained doctors ethically should have none of it.
I an not talking about cosmetic surgery for medcal reasons , after an accident or burn but where someone just want's bigger boobs or a nose reshaped to look good.

[LazyGun]

Interesting point Eddie....

[EDDIE51]

I see today that there are similar concerns over testicle implants now !
New balls please ?

[TWR]

This should be paid by the French Goverment, as the product was imported from France.

[LazyGun]

@TWR Does that mean then that the victims of arms bought from british manufacturers should be entitled to financial redress from the UK government?