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3.11 Deputy R.J. Rondel of the Minister for Health and Social Services regarding the cost of replacement surgery for those with P.I.P. breast implants in Jersey:
Would the Minister advise the Assembly of the number of people affected with P.I.P. (Poly Implant Prosthesis) breast implants in Jersey, how many of these implants were carried out for cosmetic reasons as opposed to medical reasons and whether there will be any costs met by the taxpayer if replacement surgery is carried out by private practitioners?
Deputy A.E. Pryke of Trinity (The Minister for Health and Social Services):
I have spoken to a couple of women in Jersey who are understandably very concerned about this issue. I am pleased to report that as far as I am aware, no public patients have had Poly Implant Prosthesis implants in Jersey or in our referral centre in Winchester. I am, however, aware of 6 women who have had P.I.P. implants, which were undertaken here in Jersey as a private patient. I believe these procedures were carried out for cosmetic reasons. Where appropriate, my department is helping these women liaise with a visiting consultant surgeon to achieve the right result on a case by case basis. Until the details are finalised, I am not able to confirm what the cost to the taxpayer might be. We will continue to monitor the advice being issued by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency in the U.K. but as it stands at the moment, we have no plans to fund the scanning or removal of P.I.P. or any other implants used for private patients who have elected to have cosmetic surgery overseas.
- Deputy R.J. Rondel:
I thank the Minister for her answer and would just ask if she would come back if there is taxpayers' money used at the hospital.
The Deputy of Trinity : Yes.
- Senator S.C. Ferguson:
Would the Minister not agree that, in fact, the private clinics relied on the C.E. (Conformité Européenne) approval mark, which was approved by the French authorities, and would she not agree that it is a matter to be taken up with the French authorities in that they approved something which was substandard and would it not be advisable to talk with the U.K. authorities about this particular action?
The Deputy of Trinity :
This is a very complex case and I am sure there are quite a lot of private clinics who will take up this issue, and I am sure there will be a lot of legal meetings as well. The advice that we have had is from the M.H.R.A. (Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency) and we will stick with it but, as I have said, I am not aware of any public patients either here or in our referral centre who have had this type of implant.
- Connétable P.J. Rondel of St. John :
Were any of the Island's hospital facilities used by the private patients' practitioners and surgeons in having these implants fitted and if so, is the Island liable in any way whatsoever?
The Deputy of Trinity :
As I said in my answer, I am aware that 6 women had breast implants which were undertaken here in Jersey as a private patient. We, in fact, here acted as the clinic so we do have a duty of care to look at those 6 women.