Yesterday, a report entitled ‘First Do No Harm’ finally garnered national headlines for thousands of women who have suffered as a result of pelvic mesh surgery.
The Independent Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Review, chaired by Baroness Julia Cumberlege, set out recommendations to provide support to affected women and reduce the risk of avoidable harm in the future.
It was the result of a review commissioned by the government in 2018 into how the healthcare system responds to reports from patients about the harmful side effects of medicines and medical devices. The announcement followed years of patient-led campaigns, including one by women suffering the adverse effects of pelvic mesh.
What is pelvic mesh?
Pelvic mesh has been used historically to treat prolapse and incontinence, but some women were left with internal damage and chronic pain. It was found to stiffen and erode, sometimes cutting tissues and organs.
In a press conference on July 8, Baroness Cumberlege said: “We met women whose lives have been turned upside down by mesh. Many were healthy and active, but they were offered a quick fix for their incontinence or prolapse. An operation they thought would cure them has ruined their lives. They have lost their independence, their careers, life partners, sex life, even their ability to go for a walk. Their relentless physical pain is like razors inside their body. They feel helpless, alone and ignored. Some have suicidal thoughts.”
She was shocked by the “sheer scale” and “intensity of suffering” and was quoted as saying she had conducted many reviews over the years, but had “never encountered anything like this.” She found a lot of the suffering “was entirely avoidable, caused and compounded by failings in the health system itself.”
Key recommendations
It is important to note that the report didn’t focus solely on pelvic mesh, it also investigated a pregnancy test and epilepsy drug that had equally devastating consequences.
It has now warned against pushing innovative treatments without enough long-term monitoring and criticised manufacturers for prioritising sales over safety.
The report recommended:
- Appointing an independent patient safety commissioner to hold the health system to account
- Setting up discretionary payment schemes to meet the financial care costs of those already affected
- Creating a redress agency to help resolve future disputes
- Transparency of payments made to doctors by pharmaceutical and medical device companies
- That the government should issue a fulsome apology immediately, on behalf of the healthcare system, to those affected by pelvic mesh.
Kath Sansom, founder of the Sling the Mesh campaign, commented: “While we welcome all of the recommendations, there is no glory in knowing thousands of women have been maimed by mesh since the late 1990s, then ignored when they asked for help, suffering debilitating, life altering and irreversible pain.”
Have you been affected by pelvic mesh?
It is estimated that more than 100,000 women in the UK had vaginal mesh fitted to treat incontinence or prolapse before its use was ‘paused’ in NHS hospitals. Studies suggest one in ten patients can experience complications.
If you have suffered problems as a result of pelvic mesh surgery and have concerns about the care and treatment you received, please contact me or my clinical negligence colleagues, who will be happy to discuss your concerns.
We have been helping women adversely affected by pelvic mesh obtain compensation for more than four years and will continue to fight for your right to justice. For more information, contact our friendly, professional solicitors on (0114) 218 4000 or email: info@tayloremmet.co.uk
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