MEP calls for implants register

National registers of breast implant patients should be set up across Europe, an MEP has said.

Ahead of a European Commission review of current laws on “medical devices”, Labour’s Linda McAvan said a repeat of the scandal over quality failings in implants made by French company PIP must be avoided.

“It’s not just breast implants – there have also been recent problems with hip replacements, which makes the revision of the legislation all the more urgent,” she said after a meeting of the European Parliament’s health committee.

Ms McAvan, MEP for Yorkshire and the Humber, is drawing up the committee’s views for the Parliament.