Chamber and committees

Maureen Kane submission of 26 June 2021

PE1865/S - Suspend all surgical mesh and fixation devices

I had Tension-free Vaginal Tape Obturator mesh implanted almost 10 years ago due to having bladder incontinence. I was informed at the time that this would change my life for the better, no more leaking.

I had no follow up aftercare to check if it had worked or if there were any problems.

Since then, I have suffered chronic pain in my lower abdomen which was always dismissed as not being due to the mesh any time I saw my consultant. I underwent a hysterectomy 3 years after having mesh fitted but that didn’t solve any pain problems.

I asked for a scan/mri at one point to be told I didn’t need one as my mesh was fine! How did they know it “was fine” without checking me? I subsequently paid for a private scan which showed my mesh to be twisted, eroding and splitting.

I suffer daily from chronic pain, not only in my abdomen, but in my legs, hips and lower back. I struggle to stand and walk for any length of time. I have nerve pain all around my body. I have weakness in my legs which affect standing, sitting, walking.

I am very limited in enjoying time with my Granddaughters.

A personal physical relationship is not possible so that has been taken away from me.

I had to leave my job due to ill health.

I feel that the consultants do not listen to me and have never yet accepted that the mesh is the cause of my problems.

The use of mesh has to stop, people have to stop being maimed.

The health profession and the government have a duty of care and I do not believe that they are not fulfilling that duty.

Nobody else should suffer.