Women protest over implant policy in the UK

Around 60 women marched to Harley Street in London today calling for private clinics to replace PIP breast implants for free.

The noisy group met in London with placards which read “Toxic Time Bombs” and “Health Before Wealth”.

Their first target was The Harley Medical Group, which fitted the implants in almost 14,000 British women, and has said it will not replace them free of charge.

The firm fitted more of the implants than any other UK cosmetic surgery firm but claims replacing the banned implants would put it out of business.

The demonstration, which was organised on Facebook, then went to the office of Transform on nearby New Cavendish Street, which has also said it will not replace the implants free of charge.

Insurance consultant Mia Wood, 32, from Doncaster, South Yorkshire, said: “I’m angry, I’m frustrated, I’m crying every day.

“They are so happy to take our money but not prepared to help support us.”

She said the women want the private clinics to replace their implants – not the NHS – because “we’ve paid for a service”.

Ms Wood added that she cannot afford to pay the cost of almost £3,000 which she has been quoted to have her implants replaced.

Gemma Pepper, 29, from Darlington, County Durham, said she was distraught when she first found out there was a problem with the implants.

“I was in tears for about three days. I hadn’t slept.

“I’m feeling a lot better now that I know we can fight back after meeting these amazing ladies,” she said.

Stacey Williams, 25, from Portsmouth, complained that clinics which have gone into liquidation since fitting the implants and reopened under a different name are offering no support.

“They say because they are a different company we aren’t covered any more.”

Meanwhile the Government is running a national press advertising campaign this weekend advising women what to do if they have the implants.

Adverts are appearing in national newspapers and will be featured by websites from Monday, while GP surgeries and other parts of the NHS will be urged to display them.

The advice reiterates the Government’s view that there is no evidence to support routine removal of the implants unless women have symptoms such as pain and tenderness.

It stresses that experts have found no link with cancer and there is no clear evidence of an increased risk of harm compared to other brands of breast implants.

Around 40,000 women in the UK received PIP implants manufactured by the now-closed French company Poly Implant Prostheses (PIP).

The implants were filled with non-medical grade silicone intended for use in mattresses.