Will the Minister provide an update on how the Welsh Government intends to support people in Wales who have suffered as a result of vaginal mesh implants, in light of the publication of the Hughes Report by the Patient Safety Commissioner for England?
I am aware of the Hughes Report relating to the options for financial and non-financial redress for those harmed by vaginal mesh implants and the use of sodium valproate. I will be giving careful consideration to its recommendations.
This is a matter which I take extremely seriously and an area in which we have already taken a number of important steps, including publishing a Quality Statement for Women and Girls’ health which sets out an action to support women who have experienced health adversity as a consequence of previous treatments. We have also funded a network of Pelvic Health and Well-being Coordinators deployed within each health board to both strengthen local services and provide a first point of contact for women affected by these issues.
Wales already has arrangements through its Putting Things Right system which allow health boards to offer financial redress and other support to those who have experienced harm through NHS treatments or procedures. Some affected patients may have already benefited from accessing those arrangements. We have also recently introduced a statutory Duty of Candour, set up Llais, the new citizen voice body and extended the powers of the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales. These measures strengthen patient advocacy and patients’ ability to have their voices heard, and to be responded to in an open and transparent way by health organisations.