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It is important to note that the service in Glasgow was previously providing the mesh complications service, in partnership with NHS Lothian. As such, referrals to this specialist service have not stopped throughout the pandemic. This is different to other services which receive national designation, as they would habitually stand up their referrals gradually. Since designation in July, women who were listed for surgery, pre-Covid, have started to undergo their procedures.

Work is ongoing to embed the principles raised by Baroness Cumberlege in the Independent Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Review in to the Glasgow service and as the service develops, we will continue to listen to the views of women and ensure that they get the services they need. Women’s views have been fed in to this service already through the Health and Social Care Alliance’s report “My Life, My Experience” and further patient involvement and engagement will be undertaken.

As previously stated, Glasgow are continuing with recruitment to expand their multidisciplinary teams and a full MDT will be in place by early 2021. I should also explain that work is ongoing to update the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde website with details of the disciplines involved in the Service and when invited for an outpatient appointment, women will be advised of which consultant is running that clinic. Women will then be seen by that consultant or someone in their team. This is standard practice in large teaching hospitals. Of course, there may be occasions, like staff sickness, where another consultant covers the service, rather than cancelling patients.