Vaginal mesh victims meet with MPs as senior doctors call for a public inquiry into the use of vaginal mesh surgery (24 July 2017)

Women across the UK who have been physically and emotionally affected by complications of vaginal mesh surgery have taken a campaign to Westminster calling for the implants to be banned.

A group of around 60 women from across the UK, including many from Northern Island, met with MPs, at the event on July 18th outside Portcullis House in Westminster, where Labour’s shadow Northern Ireland Secretary Owen Smith MP addressed campaigners.

Prior to the event, Owen Smith commented:

“I am deeply concerned that so many women have experienced profound, life-changing experiences after mesh surgery…This issue must be more widely known and discussed.”

Earlier this month, Smith was unsuccessful in having vaginal mesh procedures debated in the House of Commons, but he said

“As soon as parliament comes back over summer, I will be resubmitting my bid for a debate.” Smith assisted the ‘Sling the Mesh’ campaign in arranging the meeting on Tuesday to raise awareness about the complications of the mesh, which he said he thinks “is a serious health scandal.”

Meanwhile, senior doctors have recently called for a public inquiry into the use of the vaginal mesh because a significant proportion of patients have been found to suffer life-changing and traumatic complications. It has been revealed that the complications of the implants are more prevalent than official figures suggest, with one expert comparing the mesh scandal to the 1950’s and 1960’s thalidomide scandal. Carl Heneghan, Professor of evidence-based medicine at the University of Oxford, said at a meeting in Parliament: “With thalidomide you could see the visual representation. [With mesh] you can’t see it. We should have a public inquiry.”

Sohier Elneil, consultant urogynaecologist at University College Hospital, joined Heneghan at the meeting in Parliament, where they both argued that complication rates for some of the mesh procedures are unacceptably widespread, and they raised questions as to whether the procedure is being used appropriately.

The meeting followed news that a group of patients in the UK are preparing a class action against manufacturers of the mesh. Testimonies were heard at the meeting from patients who had experienced devastating changes to their lives owing to the complications of the surgery. One patient, Carol Williams, reportedly broke down in tears as she described her experience of being admitted to the Priory clinic after an escalating series of complications from her surgery left her suicidal. Other patients spoke of excruciating pain, a loss of their sex life, and the psychological toll of being repeatedly dismissed by their doctors about their symptoms.

Unfortunately, complications caused by the mesh are often irreversible, because removal of the mesh is extremely difficult or even impossible after it becomes embedded in the surrounding tissue. Founder of the ‘Sling the Mesh’ campaign Kath Sansom compared this to “trying to remove chewing gum from matted hair.”

Thus far, over 800 women are pursuing legal action against the NHS and manufacturers of vaginal mesh implants, including a client represented by Duncan Lewis Clinical Negligence Solicitors.

Rebecca Thomas, Director of Clinical Negligence at Duncan Lewis solicitor’s states:

“The Government need to take active steps to prevent an escalation in the number of women suffering from the horrendous side effects of vaginal mesh surgery. Public enquiries have taken place in the past in cases where far fewer people have been affected. The lack of response from the Government is inexcusable and needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency.”

Rebecca Thomas is a Director of Clinical Negligence at Duncan Lewis. Rebecca has over 20 years of experience in her field and represents clients in a wide range of cases including claims involving cosmetic and dental negligence, surgical and orthopaedic injuries arising from delay, misdiagnosis or negligent spinal surgery, gastrointestinal and ophthalmic surgery.

If you have been fitted with a vaginal mesh implant and have suffered as a result, you may be eligible to claim for compensation. Duncan Lewis Clinical Negligence solicitors will assist you in making a claim for negligence.

Duncan Lewis Clinical Negligence Solicitors

The Duncan Lewis Clinical Negligence team has significant experience acting in a vast array of claims including accident and emergency failures, GP negligence claims, misdiagnosed fractures and other medical conditions and wrongful death claims. They also act for children and adults who have suffered profound and permanent brain, spinal or neurological injuries and associated disabilities as a consequence of failings in medical care in both NHS and private hospitals.

If you believe your treating clinician has made a mistake and wish to claim compensation or have any questions about treatment you have received, please do not hesitate to contact our team of specialist clinical negligence solicitors on 0333 772 0409.