Women Demand Action on Vaginal Mesh Redress Scheme

Josie Robinson

Women harmed by vaginal mesh demand action on ‘forgotten’ redress scheme

Women harmed by vaginal mesh are demanding immediate action on ‘forgotten’ plans for a redress scheme to compensate them for their life-changing injuries.

Dr Henrietta Hughes, the Patient Safety Commissioner, said this time last year that there was a “clear case” for the scheme, but those affected by the scandal say they have heard nothing since.

The scale of the issue

More than 10,000 women are estimated to have had the ‘mesh’ surgery to treat pelvic organ prolapse or bladder leaks, but many suffered complications including chronic pain, incontinence, infection, scarring and, in some of the most severe cases, organ perforation.

Whilst it has not been banned, its use was restricted in 2018 amid safety concerns.

Josie Robinson, a specialist medical negligence solicitor at London law firm Osbornes Law, says she is still regularly contacted by victims, but sadly not all meet the threshold for legal action.

June’s experience

Those that do include June Simmons, 75, who recently settled a civil action for an undisclosed sum against Ramsay Health Care over surgery she underwent at Mount Stuart Hospital in Devon in 2016.

The mother-of-two and grandmother, who suffers from neurodegenerative Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease, had been experiencing ‘leaking’ but was told by the surgeon he could solve the problem.

June, who lives with husband Bob in Somerset, says:

“The surgeon said it was a 20-minute procedure to put the ‘tape’ in. There was no mention of mesh at all. He made it sound so simple and straightforward, with very little risk of side effects. I would be in and out on the same day.

“The reality was far removed. For some women it was weeks or months before they realised anything was wrong, but for me it was within days. I went in with a leak and woke up incontinent and in agony.

“A friend said it was like a lightbulb had been switched off.

“My husband and I had a good quality of life before the mesh and had planned to travel in our retirement, but it changed everything. We stopped going out because I was paranoid about having embarrassing accidents. I started getting panic attacks and struggled to breathe.

“I won’t go anywhere now apart from to visit family as I can’t control my bladder. I am reduced to pads but still have frequent accidents. I have bladder spasms and constant urinary tract infections and I’m in pain a lot of the time.

“Being in a wheelchair I really struggle to sit comfortably, but I still can’t sit without a pressure cushion due to nerve damage.

“After finding out it was mesh inserted, I ended up having it removed in 2020 in the hope it would improve things but if anything, it’s made the pain worse.”

Jennifer’s struggles

Mother-of-two Jennifer Ryder, 54, from Torbay in Devon, was also advised to undergo a similar procedure for stress incontinence. Like June, it was sold to her as a quick and simple solution, and she underwent the operation in 2015 under Torbay and Devon NHS Foundation Trust.

“It was horrendous. I went from leaking to having this constant urge to go to the toilet,” she says.

“I had infection after infection. It got to the stage where even just sitting down was so painful that it felt like the mesh was burning me from the inside out.

“I had a busy job as a hospital supervisor but that became impossible because I needed to go to the toilet so often. I had two young children, but I struggled to leave the house.

“I had always been a strong, capable, positive person but I felt like that part of me had been taken away and it was very isolating – no one understands unless they’ve been through it themselves.

“For me that was the hardest part. I got to the stage where I thought ‘I can’t do this anymore.’ The pain is one thing but it’s when you can’t seem to lift yourself out of that dark place.”

Jennifer, who says she is no longer able to work, eventually had the mesh removed too but said the difference it made was negligible.

With the help of Osbornes Law, she recently settled a civil claim against Torbay and Devon NHS Trust for an undisclosed sum but says no amount will ever restore her quality of life.

The Sling the Mesh campaign

Through the ‘Sling the Mesh’ campaign, an online community that provides advice and support for those affected, June and Jennifer have met many other women who have shared similar experiences.

The need for a redress scheme

Sadly, lack of evidence or delays in identifying the cause of their problems has meant that for many, legal action is not viable and a redress scheme is their only chance of compensation.

Josie Robinson, of Osbornes Law, who represented both women, adds:

“This is one of the biggest health scandals of our time and has been recognised as such by the Patient Safety Commissioner, yet a year has passed and there is seemingly still no progress with the recommended redress scheme.

“For some of the victims I speak to, the prospects of bringing a successful civil action are unfortunately poor and it is right we advise them of this, but that is why such a scheme is so vital.

“Many have lost their jobs, their relationships, and their self-esteem has been left in tatters by this horrific procedure, the consequences of which they now have to live with for the rest of their lives.

“Some form of financial redress would not undo the immense harm caused, but it is the very least these brave women deserve.”

How can we help?

If you or a loved one suffered due to vaginal mesh treatment or another medical procedure, our Medical Negligence solicitors are here to support you.

Contact Osbornes Law by:

• Filling in our online enquiry form; or
• Calling us on 020 7485 8811