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Transvaginal Mesh Removal Cost Reimbursement Scotland Bill

Some people have paid private healthcare costs to have their transvaginal mesh implant removed.

This Bill would allow the Government to set up a scheme which could pay back those costs to people. This could include travel costs and hotel accommodation paid for in relation to the surgery.

This is a Government bill

The Bill became an Act on 3 March 2022

Introduced: the Bill and its documents

Overview

Some people have paid private healthcare costs to have their transvaginal mesh implant removed.

This Bill would allow the Government to set up a scheme which could pay back those costs to people. This could include travel costs and hotel accommodation paid for in relation to the surgery.

The scheme could also cover other details, such as:

  • who can apply
  • how to apply
  • time limits on applying

Why the Bill was created

Transvaginal mesh is a medical device that was used regularly in Scotland before 2014. It was also used in the rest of the UK and across the world.

This device was used to treat stress urinary incontinence and a condition called pelvic organ prolapse. Sometimes it was implanted through a person’s vagina during surgery.

Many people who had vaginal mesh surgery later experienced serious pain and side effects, and some needed surgery to remove the mesh.

From 2018 it was no longer used in the NHS in Scotland.

Accompanying Documents

Explanatory Notes (123KB, pdf) posted 23 June 2021

Policy Memorandum (139KB, pdf) posted 23 June 2021

Financial Memorandum (160KB, pdf) posted 23 June 2021

Delegated Powers Memorandum (196KB, pdf) posted 22 June 2021

Statements on legislative competence (89KB, pdf) posted 23 June 2021

Accompanying Documents (print versions)

Explanatory Notes (135KB, pdf) posted 23 June 2021

Policy Memorandum (152KB, pdf) posted 23 June 2021

Financial Memorandum (160KB, pdf) posted 23 June 2021

Delegated Powers Memorandum (168KB, pdf) posted 22 June 2021

Statements on legislative competence (140KB, pdf) posted 23 June 2021

Financial Resolution

The Presiding Officer has decided under Rule 9.12 of Standing Orders that a financial resolution is required for this Bill.

Research on the Bill

The Scottish Parliament's Information Centre (SPICe) prepares impartial research and analysis to assist MSPs in their examination of Bills and other parliamentary business.

Research briefing on the Transvaginal Mesh Removal (Cost Reimbursement) (Scotland) Bill

The Bill was introduced on 23 June 2021

Stage 1: general principles

At Stage 1, the Bill is given to a lead committee. This is usually the committee whose remit most closely relates to the subject of the Bill. The lead committee will consider and report on the Bill. Other committees may also examine the Bill and report to the lead committee. Finally, there is a debate and vote by all MSPs on the general principles of the Bill. If the general principles are not agreed to, then the Bill ‘falls’ and can’t become law.

Lead committee examines the Bill

The lead committee for this Bill is the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee.

Call for views (closed)

The Health Social Care and Sport Committee held a call for views to help inform its examination of the Bill.

It was particularly interested in hearing from individuals who had been affected by transvaginal mesh, support groups and organisations on implementation and reimbursement as set out in the Bill. Individuals who had been affected by transvaginal mesh in Scotland were also able to provide additional, confidential information to the Committee if they wished to do so.

Read the call for views

Meetings of the lead committee

Correspondence: lead committee

Procurement exercise for mesh removal services

Letter from Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care regarding the procurement exercise for mesh removal services, 15 July 2021

Transvaginal Mesh Removal (Cost Reimbursement) (Scotland) Bill

Letter from the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care to Convener, 24 June 2021

See a full list of Stage 1 correspondence

Stage 1 report by the lead committee

The Health, Social Care and Sport Committee published its report on 16 November 2021.

Transvaginal Mesh Removal (Cost Reimbursement) (Scotland) Bill Stage 1 Report

The Committee received the following response to its report:

Scottish Government's response to Stage 1 Report

Work by other committees

Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee

Meetings

Report

The Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee published its report on 5 October 2021

Read the report


Finance and Public Administration Committee


Stage 1 Debate and decision

A Stage 1 debate took place on 24 November 2021 to consider and decide on the general principles of the Bill.

  • Motion title: Transvaginal Mesh Removal (Cost Reimbursement) (Scotland) Bill
  • Text of motion: That the Parliament agrees to the general principles of the Transvaginal Mesh Removal (Cost Reimbursement) (Scotland) Bill.
  • Submitted by: Humza Yousaf
  • Date lodged: Monday, 22 November 2021
  • Motion reference: S6M-02234
  • Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, 24 November 2021

See further details of the motion


Parliament agreed the general principles of the Bill

The Bill ended Stage 1 on 24 November 2021

Stage 2: changes to the Bill

At Stage 2, MSPs can propose changes to a Bill. These are called 'amendments'. Any MSP can suggest amendments but only members of the Stage 2 committee can decide on them. 

First meeting on amendments

Documents with the amendments considered at the meeting on 14 December 2021

Marshalled List of Amendments for Stage 2 (77KB, pdf) posted 09 December 2021

Groupings of Amendments for Stage 2 (129KB, pdf) posted 09 December 2021 

Revised Documents

Revised Explanatory Notes (108KB, pdf) posted 19 January 2022

Revised Documents (print versions)

Revised Explanatory Notes (142KB, pdf) posted 19 January 2022

The Bill ended Stage 2 on 14 December 2021

Stage 3: final changes and vote

At Stage 3, MSPs can propose further amendments (changes) to the Bill. These are debated and decided on in the Debating Chamber. At this stage, all MSPs can vote on them.  There is then a debate on whether to pass the Bill. If the Bill is not passed, it ‘falls’ and can't become law. 

Debate on proposed amendments

Documents with the amendments considered at the meeting on 20 January 2022:

Marshalled list of amendments at Stage 3 (183KB, pdf) posted 19 January 2022

Groupings of amendments at Stage 3 (238KB, pdf) posted 19 January 2022 

Final version of the Bill

There were no amendments at Stage 3. The Bill as amended at Stage 2 is the final version of the Bill.

Final debate on the Bill

Once MSPs have decided on the amendments, they debate whether to pass the Bill.

  • Motion title: Transvaginal Mesh Removal (Cost Reimbursement) (Scotland) Bill
  • Text of motion: That the Parliament agrees that the Transvaginal Mesh Removal (Cost Reimbursement) (Scotland) Bill be passed.
  • Submitted by: Humza Yousaf
  • Date lodged: Thursday, 20 January 2022
  • Motion reference: S6M-02895
  • Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, 25 January 2022

Result 120 for, 0 against, 0 abstained, 9 did not vote Vote Passed

See further details of the motion


Parliament decided to pass the Bill

The Bill ended Stage 3 on 25 January 2022

Bill becomes an Act

The Bill was passed on 25 January 2022 and became an Act on 3 March 2022

Read the Act

Transvaginal Mesh Removal (Cost Reimbursement) (Scotland) Act 2022