'I'm in constant pain after vaginal mesh surgery'
"I walked into the hospital able-bodied and came out on crutches."
Susan McLarnon is one of thousands of women across the UK who have experienced serious complications after being given a vaginal mesh implant to treat a prolapse and urinary incontinence
She says she now lives in "constant pain" and is calling for the government to commit to a deadline for a redress scheme.
McLarnon is one of several women travelling to Downing Street later to hand a letter to the prime minister asking for "urgent action" to be taken on compensation for those harmed by pelvic mesh implants.
Some women were left in permanent pain, unable to walk, work or have sex, after the surgery to treat incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse.
Two years ago, a major report, external called for urgent action but campaigners are still waiting.
Kath Sansom, founder of Sling The Mesh, who will be handing in the letter at Downing Street with the other women, said pelvic mesh had "stolen women's health, irreversibly ruined their quality of life, their independence, and their future".
They are calling for a timescale for a funded, government-backed compensation scheme for all women who have been harmed.
The UK Department of Health and Social Care said it is "carefully considering" the recommendations in the report and aims to provide an update in due course.
Source: BBC News, 10 March 2026