Mesh Repair Surgery Update: Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust and Mr Arunkalaivanan

Last year Corinna Lincoln at Taylor&Emmet wrote a blog entitled ‘Sling the Mesh’ highlighting the associated problems and potential for mesh related cases.

In 2009 NICE released guidance on the procedure and Hospital Trusts became conscious of the apparent inadequacy of the product that is used in pelvic organ prolapse repairs (POP) or in cases of stress urinary incontinence (SUI). ‘Gynae Mesh’ became a controversial topic area in medicine and the guidelines highlighted the serious risks and consequences of surgery involving mesh repair (see Sling the Mesh).

In 2015 some patients at the Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust were contacted after it was discovered that the Urogynaecologist and Surgeon Mr Arunkalaivanan had been using the mesh in gynaecological surgery at the Hospital, despite the Trust banning the use of the mesh from January 2009.

Mr Arunkalaivanan continued to use the mesh after January 2009 in POP repair operations against the Trust’s directions. The Surgeon compromised patient safety and the Trust decided to contact patients treated by him to warn them that the surgery they received may not have been performed correctly, or that they may not have had informed consent before agreeing to have the operation done.

We have been contacted by a number of women concerned about the use of the mesh and we are happy to discuss any concerns you might have. If you are worried that there has been a problem with your mesh repair surgery or you have been treated by Mr Arunkalaivanan and you would like some advice, please contact us.

You may have questions about the risks of using the mesh in repair surgery, or if you were treated at Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospital, how can you find out if Mr Arunkalaivanan treated you? You may want to know more about what you can do if you have had the mesh procedure done and you have concerns? We can discuss and talk you through all your options.

Please contact us on 0114 218 4000 and ask to speak to one of our Clinical Negligence Team or alternatively for some initial email advice please contact us at heretohelp@tayloremmet.co.uk and a Solicitor will write back to you.