A Welsh Government Task and Finish group report on the ‘use of vaginal synthetic mesh tape and sheets for stress urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse’, published today [4th May 2018], has raised concerns from a local AM.

Assembly Member for Aberconwy, Janet Finch-Saunders, said:

“I am aware of a number of patients who have had this mesh, or tape, placed inside them – almost as a ‘quick-fix’ measure – and experienced considerable pain and discomfort some months or years afterwards. In some cases, it has become quite debilitating – severely impacting on their day-to-day life.

“My worry here is that the report simply doesn’t address the concerns raised by patients – many of whom have actually called for a ban in the use of this mesh.

“I do welcome some of the recommendations of the report in terms of the improved services for pelvic pain in Health Boards across Wales. However, I am concerned that North Wales residents with more complex mesh complications will still be forced to travel to Manchester, in the absence of the relevant uro-gynaecologist and urology specialists. I will continue to press the Welsh Government on improved recruitment and retention of specialist medical staff for North Wales.”

ENDS

Notes

The report in full can be found here: https://gov.wales/topics/health/publications/health/reports/mesh/?lang=en