Chamber and committees

Petitioner submission of 27 January 2022

PE1865/BBBB - Suspend the use of surgical mesh and fixation devices

As a co-petitioner, we have asked the Scottish Parliament to halt the use of all surgical mesh and fixation devices pending a full and transparent review of the safety of such devices and to ensure guidelines for the use of such mesh are provided to all clinicians. Just last week a story was printed in the media of a man who died following dismissal of his symptoms by his GP. This man had mesh protruding through his skin and was severely unwell.

This story touched a nerve, as a family member who died in 2018 after doctors told her mesh had left her too weak to endure chemotherapy, also sought help on many occasions for inflamed and infected sites on her abdomen where the mesh had burrowed through her flesh. On more than one occasion a clinician simply cut the plastic off at the point where it sat flush with the skin. As you can imagine, having open wounds caused by mesh penetrating several layers of flesh and skin was unbelievably painful and yet no one took this seriously. I have her medical notes and there’s nothing more than passing comments.

How can we trust existing evidence when clinicians are not accurately and systematically recording the effects of this material on patients? This is precisely why the use of mesh must be halted and a full review undertaken. Given this petition is still being considered by the Scottish Government, can you advise why a contract was recently renewed with several manufacturers of surgical mesh for use on hernia patients in Scotland?

I work in a sector where evidence and rigorous research is prized, I understand that decisions (particularly where public money is being spent) must be evidence-driven. However my sector also recognises that evidence is not neutral, it is always interpreted and you must always attempt to draw from as many sources as possible to challenge inherent biases. This is why I am pleading with you to listen to us, and to do the right thing in pausing the use of these devices and establishing a comprehensive and transparent public review. The existing evidence from those who seek to benefit financially and professionally from the continued use of mesh cannot be the main bull of evidence considered.