Women protest against PIP breast implant clinics

Summary of story from London24, January 15, 2011

A group of 60 women marched in London yesterday calling for private clinics to replace faulty Poly Implant Prostheses (PIP) breast implants for free.

Around 40,000 women in the UK received PIP implants manufactured by the now-closed French company (see WVoN coverage).

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

The group, holding placards such as “Toxic Time Bombs” and “Health Before Wealth” started their protest at The Harley Medical Group, a private clinic which fitted almost 14,000 British women with the implants and now refuses to replace them free of charge because it would put it out of business.

Transform, another private clinic visited by the demonstrators, has also said it will not replace the implants free of charge.

One demonstrator, insurance consultant Mia Wood, 32, from Doncaster, South Yorkshire, said: “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”.

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