{"id":3137,"date":"2020-07-09T10:49:39","date_gmt":"2020-07-09T09:49:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tayloremmet.co.uk\/blogs\/?p=3137"},"modified":"2020-07-09T10:49:39","modified_gmt":"2020-07-09T09:49:39","slug":"report-exposes-extent-of-pelvic-mesh-injustice","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tayloremmet.co.uk\/blogs\/report-exposes-extent-of-pelvic-mesh-injustice\/","title":{"rendered":"Report Exposes Extent Of Pelvic Mesh Injustice"},"content":{"rendered":"

Yesterday, a report entitled \u2018First Do No Harm\u2019 finally garnered national headlines for thousands of women who have suffered as a result of pelvic mesh surgery.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

What is pelvic mesh?<\/span><\/h3>\n

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.<\/p>\n

In a press conference on July 8, Baroness Cumberlege said: \u201cWe 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

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 \u201cnever encountered anything like this.\u201d She found a lot of the suffering \u201cwas entirely avoidable, caused and compounded by failings in the health system itself.”<\/p>\n

Key recommendations<\/span><\/h3>\n

It is important to note that the report didn\u2019t focus solely on pelvic mesh, it also investigated a pregnancy test and epilepsy drug that had equally devastating consequences.<\/p>\n

It has now warned against pushing innovative treatments without enough long-term monitoring and criticised manufacturers for prioritising sales over safety.<\/p>\n

The report recommended:<\/p>\n