Andrew Lansley: Breast implant removal 'not urgent'

Health Secretary Andrew Lansley has defended the decision not to offer replacement breast implants to private patients on the NHS.

Around 40,000 women were fitted with PIP implants made from sub-standard silicone with 95 per cent treated in private clinics.

Mr Lansley said if there was a clinical need, the NHS would pay to remove those implants but it would not offer replacements.

He added that although women are ''understandably worried'', there is ''no urgent need'' for their removal on health grounds.