Call back for new
personal injury claims only
Leave your details to request a call back.
PIP breast implants – Update
Poly Implant Prothese (PIP) Implants
Breast implants supplied by French company Poly Implant Prothese (PIP) caused global concern following reports they were made from substandard industrial grade silicone that was prone to leakages and ruptures.
An expert committee led by NHS medical director Professor Sir Bruce Keogh was set up to examine the specific risks associated with PIP breast implants.
A statement released by the Department of Heath on the 6 of January 2012 reported that the expert committee had concluded the PIP implants have no link with cancer and there is not enough evidence to recommend blanket removal of all PIP implants. The recommended action is that women with concerns should speak with their GP or surgeon. The advice of the NHS remains in line with the advice provided by the MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency).
In the UK around 40,000 British women received breast implants made by PIP. 95% were fitted by private clinics for women seeking cosmetic breast augmentation and the remaining 5% were fitted on the NHS for the purpose of clinical need (such as reconstruction surgery following breast cancer).
Women with PIP implants from the NHS
All women who have had breast implants from the NHS will be contacted to confirm the brand of implant used. Women with PIP implants should raise concerns with their GP or surgeon and examinations including scans may be offered to identify signs of leakage or rupture.
The NHS will remove and replace PIP breast implants free of charge if a woman decides with her doctors that it is the correct course of action.
Women with PIP implants from private clinics
It is hoped that the private sector will follow suit and offer an equivalent care package to their patients. Some companies are refusing to do so, including The Harley Medical Group and The Hospital Group.
Holly House, Highgate Hospitals, Make Yourself Amazing, Ramsay Health Care, Spire Healthcare, BMI Healthcare, Nuffield Healthcare and HCA International have all said they will remove and replace PIP implants if there is clinical need.
If the implanting clinic refuses to help or no longer exists, so long as the woman is entitled to NHS services and their doctor is in agreement, the NHS will support removal of private PIP implants, but will not replace them.
Tougher rules are expected to be introduced for breast augmentation and there are calls for more spot checks and a nationwide breast implant register to supersede the breast implant registry which closed in 2006.
Sharon Banga a solicitor at Thompsons Solicitors’ Clinical Negligence Unit said: “We are dealing with many PIP cases at the moment. Signs of an implant rupture may include lumpiness in the breast, swelling, a change in breast shape and pain or sensitivity. We are happy to discuss any issues with women affected free of charge and without obligation.”
Thompsons Solicitors have also produced a Factsheet about PIP Implants
Starting a Clinical Negligence Compensation Claim
If you or anyone you know has suffered from any form of medical negligence, telephone us now for accurate claim advice.
There are strict time limits in place to make any personal injury claim. For further information, contact us or visit our Questions Answered page.
Thompsons Solicitors are experts in all matters relating to clinical negligence and will be able to advise you as to whether or not you have a valid compensation claim. Our specialist clinical negligence solicitors and lawyers will be happy to talk you through the process of making a claim in plain English and will be happy to answer any questions or queries you may have.
Telephone us now on 08000 224 224 or complete one of our online personal injury compensation claim forms.
Contact us about your accident or injury
Call us for free on 08000 224 224 Call us from your mobile on 0330 123 123 0 (charged at local number and free when covered by inclusive minutes) Request a call back Text CLAIM to 82010 (standard network rates apply)
