It has been announced that the Welsh NHS are to pay to replace privately fitted PIP implants. Women in Wales who have had PIP implants at private clinics can have them replaced for free on the NHS. To have the surgery, women must prove they have sought redress from their private care provider, and they must be resident and registered with a GP in Wales.

In December, French authorities recommended that 30,000 women have faulty breast implants removed as a precaution.

Last week the UK government reaffirmed its view that the implants, which 40,000 UK women have, did not require routine removal. In England, only NHS patients and those whose private clinic no longer exists can have them removed for free.

Stephanie Prior, a Partner in Anthony Gold's clinical negligence department comments:

"Locating the 40,000 recipients of the PIP implants would be an onerous task and the cost of removal would be a further financial burden on the government, a burden that I expect, they would not wish to bear".

If you have PIP implants and you are anxious as to whether they should be removed, or you require further legal advice or assistance, please do not hesitate to email Stephanie Prior or call her on 020 7940 4000.