PIP implants removal likely to cost NHS more than £100,000

By Charlotte Beugge

Department of Health figures show that 2,860 women with implants made by French company Poly Implant Prothese (PIP) have sought advice from NHS specialists.

Of these, more than 1,000 have had scans and 67 have decided to have the implants removed. But only 12 patients have had the implants removed so far by the NHS, although they had them put in by private clinics.

The NHS figures, reported by the BBC, show that 455 of the women referred to NHS specialists decided not to have the implants removed.

The cost of surgery on the 67 former private clinic clients will be more than £100,000 and adding on the other costs - such as scans, consultant and GP appointments - the bill could reach more than £500,000.

According to the BBC, the figures show 741 women had implants fitted by the NHS mainly for reconstruction after breast cancer. So far,17 of these women want the implants removed and one operation has taken place.

Anne Milton, the public health minister, said the low level of requests for removal "show that these women are getting the reassurance they need from speaking to an expert or having a scan".

But, Fazel Fatah, president of the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, says: "These figures show that a significant proportion of patients have not had the help and reassurance they need - and deserve - from private clinics.

"Judging by the number of completed episodes and removals, it's clear that only very few are opting for removal without replacement, which is entirely unsurprising."

PIP implants were found to contain silicone that is not medical grade but was meant to be used for mattresses. While tests have not shown increased toxicity, the implants have been shown to have an increased risk of rupturing.