Surgical mesh centres not working, warn MPs

Specialist centres to help women who have experienced complications following a pelvic mesh repair are "not working", MPs say.

A network of nine mesh centres was set up in the wake of a report about how three health treatments caused thousands of women avoidable harm.

However, a debate in Westminster Hall has heard that GPs are not always aware of the referral process. And some patients are experiencing long waits and living in "agony".

In 2020, the First Do No Harm report recommended specialist mesh centres should be set up to treat complications and carry out removals.

However, Alec Shelbrooke, co-chair of the surgical mesh all-party parliamentary group, has told MPs the centres are "not working".

"GPs are unaware of mesh complication centres and the referral process," he said

"Many patients are denied access and are offered physio and pain management instead, they pay thousands of pounds for private care and face extremely long delays for appointments.

"Many women end up seeing their implanting surgeons, who then dismiss them."

Sharing accounts of women's experiences, Mr Shelbrooke said one waited four years for a referral only to face more "gaslighting" and "suffering".

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Source: 4 February 2022

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