Remembering Alison

The profession has paid tribute to former Committee member, Professor Alison Britton, who sadly passed away on 2 July.

As Professor of Healthcare and Medical Law at Glasgow Caledonian University, Alison carried out consultancy work for a wide range of organisations including the World Health Organization, the British Medical Association, the General Medical Council and the Scottish Government, during a distinguished career.

Professor Stephen Decent, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Glasgow Caledonian University, commented: “Everyone at Glasgow Caledonian is deeply shocked and saddened by Alison’s passing.

“A much-loved and distinguished colleague, Alison was a wonderful ambassador for the university, whose work had a profound, lasting impact on patient care and medical standards. We offer our sincere condolences to her family, friends, colleagues and students.”

Alison, widely respected in the profession, spent two years reviewing the cases of 18 women who received transvaginal mesh implants, for an independent report. The report found some women were not given accurate information before undergoing the life-altering procedure.

In October 2023, the Women’s Health Minister Jenni Minto MSP praised Alison for her “meticulous work” in reviewing the case records of the women who endured mesh implant surgery.

Following the independent report, all parties at Holyrood unanimously called for the full acceptance and implementation of all 21 recommendations.

The Law Society of Scotland’s Public Policy Committee Convener, John Mulholland, said: “I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former Law Society committee member Alison Britton.

“Professor Britton was one of the first members of our Public Policy Committee and as Convener of our Health and Medical Law Committee for seven years, her contribution will long be remembered. 

“Alison’s knowledge, expertise and tenacity were fundamental to the Law Society’s work on important legislation including the Human Tissues Bill and the Transvaginal Mesh Removal Bill – both of which she tackled with her characteristic combination of intellect and humanity.

“She was a familiar and welcome face at the Law Society offices, and she will be missed by her friends and colleagues at the Society and across the legal profession. Our sincerest condolences go to her family, friends and colleagues.”