The Independent Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Review for England, chaired by Baroness Julia Cumberlege, published its report on 8 July 2020 entitled “First Do No Harm” which included a review of medications taken during pregnancy and pelvic mesh.

Baroness Julia Cumberlege stated: “… I have conducted many reviews and inquiries over the years, but I have never encountered anything like this; the intensity of suffering experienced by so many families, and the fact that they have endured it for decades. Much of this suffering was entirely avoidable, caused and compounded by failings in the health system itself. The first duty of any health system is to do no harm to those in its care; but I am sorry to say that in too many cases concerning Primodos, sodium valproate and pelvic mesh, our system has failed in its responsibilities. We owe it to the victims of these failings, and to thousands of future patients, to do better”

The Review’s major recommendations include:

1. A government apology on behalf of the healthcare system.
2. The appointment of a Patient Safety Commissioner.
3. Setting up of separate schemes hormone pregnancy Tests, valproate and pelvic mesh to meet the cost of providing additional care and support to those who have experienced avoidable harm and are eligible to claim.
4. A Redress Agency should be established in the future.
5. The establishment of two types of specialist regional centres for mesh patients and those affected by medications taken during pregnancy.
6. The MHRA needs to put patients at the heart of its activity.
7. Creation of a central database to collect key details including the patient, the implanted device, and the surgeon.
8. The register of the General Medical Council (GMC) should be expanded to include a list of financial and non-pecuniary interests for all doctors, as well as doctors’ clinical interests and specialisms.
9. The government is to set up an immediate task force to implement the Review’s recommendations.

At HHD solicitors our experienced medical negligence team are currently assisting women who are pursuing claims following mesh procedures. Unfortunately, it has become apparent in recent years that the alleged effective solution to bladder and organ prolapse in woman has an array of complications which has resulted in women suffering painful, debilitating and often permanent symptoms including:

• Long lasting pain
• Mesh erosion
• Infection
• Bleeding
• Internal cuts
• Protrusion
• Pain during sex
• Pain to sexual partners
• Organ perforation
• Urinary problems including incontinence and Mesh exposure through vaginal tissues and occasionally injury to nearby organs, such as the bladder or bowel

These symptoms have also directly impacted on women’s mental health with reports of depression, suicidal thoughts, etc.

Thousands of women in the UK opted for the vaginal mesh and were unaware of the severity of the complications which have now come to light. Many of these complications require additional treatment including surgery.

Johnson & Johnson are understood to produce the majority of vaginal mesh products used in the UK.

At HHD solicitors, we have taken instructions from a number of women who have suffered adverse effects as a result of TVT.  If you have undergone a vaginal mesh procedure in a hospital in Northern Ireland and are suffering from symptoms, please get in touch with our specialist medical negligence team. We will deal with your case in a sensitive and confidential manner and we have over 25 years’ experience dealing with medical claims and have settled one of the largest medical negligence cases in NI. Email us directly at laurenjones@hhdsolicitors.com or fionasterritt@hhdsolicitors.com

LAUREN JONES