PIP Silicone Gel Breast Implants

Tuesday 10th January 2012 Written Statements

[The Secretary of State for Health (Mr Andrew Lansley)]

Approximately 40,000 women in the UK have had implants manufactured by the French manufacturer Poly Implant Prosthèse (PIP). These implants were made of a non-medical grade silicone gel, which was withdrawn from use across Europe on 30 March 2010 following investigations at the PIP plant in France.

The recommendation of the French Government on 23 December that these should be removed has caused understandable worry for women affected. My primary concern is for safety and well-being, which is why I asked the NHS medical director, Sir Bruce Keogh to convene an expert advisory group to review the available data on PIP implants.

My Department published the interim report of the expert advisory group on Friday 6 January 2012. It also published a letter from the NHS chief executive, Sir David Nicholson, to the chief executives of all NHS bodies and from the chief medical officer, Dame Sally Davies, to all general practitioners and other relevant health professionals.

Taken together, these documents provide authoritative advice to women and clinical professionals about the risks associated with PIP implants. The expert advisory group concluded that there is not enough evidence to recommend routine explantation of the implants, although they also recognised this is a worrying time for women with PIP implants. The documents therefore set out the model of care to be provided to NHS patients, and the expectation that the private sector would follow suit.

These documents have been placed in the Library. Copies are available to hon. Members from the Vote Office and to noble Lords from the Printed Paper Office. I will keep the House updated.