Almost 3,000 patients seek NHS help on PiP implants

New NHS data has revealed that almost 3,000 women have so far turned to assistance from the health service over concerns regarding Poly Implant Prothese (PiP) breast implants.

A total of 2,860 women have been referred to NHS specialists by their GPs to discuss the issue, leading to more than 1,100 undergoing scans and 522 having completed the entire assessment process, with only 67 having so far chosen to have their implants removed.

Concerns have been raised in recent months that PiP implants are made from non-medical grade silicone and could be at risk of ruptures, but the government has not yet identified sufficient evidence to support routine removal procedures.

However, patients who have received the implants are being advised to speak to their surgeons or GPs, with the NHS supporting removal operations if the patient is still worried after this consultation.

Health minister Anne Milton said the current low rate of removals "appears to show that these women are getting the reassurance they need from speaking to an expert or having a scan".