Women in East Renfrewshire who have had to pay for surgery to remove mesh implants will be able to apply for compensation from next month.

The Transvaginal Mesh Removal Reimbursement Scheme will allow women who paid for private surgery to claim the money back, with applications opening on June 6.

To be eligible for the dedicated fund, arrangements for treatment must be made by June 3.

After this date, patients seeking treatment on the NHS will be seen through the Complex Pelvic Mesh Removal Service run by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.

Mesh implants have not been used in vaginal surgeries in Scotland since 2018, when ministers put a moratorium in place after women who had undergone the procedure complained of debilitating complications.

Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said: “The opening of the scheme is a significant milestone, enabling women to claim back the money they felt they had to use to get their treatment .”

Details of how to apply for compensation will be available at www.nss.nhs.scot/browse/patient-support-schemes/mesh-scheme once the fund has opened.