Will the UK ban vaginal mesh surgery?

Following last year’s pause on the use of the procedure, the big question on many people’s lips is this: will the UK ban vaginal mesh surgery as other countries have?

One of the primary criticisms over the outcome of the recent changes into the use of vaginal mesh that followed last year’s ban was that it suggested there’s a lack of long-term knowledge. From the tens of thousands of women worldwide who have suffered complications, some of them permanent, there’s clearly a great deal of long-term knowledge out there.

But despite this, the UK has still yet to ban the use of vaginal mesh surgery procedures, and many are left wondering whether a permanent ban will ever take place.

Should the UK ban vaginal mesh procedures?

If the UK ban vaginal mesh procedures, it would be a welcome move for the tens of thousands of women worldwide who have suffered problems. It would be a welcome move for the campaigners who have fought tirelessly to stop the use of the procedure. It would probably be a welcome move for the clients we represent who are claiming compensation for their vaginal mesh surgeries that have goner wrong.

And it would be a welcome move by me as well.

Having seen the extent of the complications and problems people can suffer with, and the fact that they can be permanent, it’s incredibly concerning that the procedure is still used.

What has to happen for it to be finally banned?

Perhaps it may take many more years of mesh surgeries going wrong before a ban is put in place. The horror stories have been out there for years, and the suffering endured by some of our own client is catastrophic.

There was a suicide in 2005 from a patient who was unable to bear the constant pain from their mesh operation that left them suffering with serious pain and problems. There are tens of thousands of women who have suffered problems and complications. There have been successful claims for personal injury compensation as well.

What will be the turning point?

When could we see the UK ban vaginal mesh surgery?

The US and New Zealand have banned the use of all mesh implant surgeries. Scotland have banned them as well, so that’s at least part of the UK that has taken action. When will we see the rest of the UK ban vaginal mesh procedures also?

Will we ever see it happen?

We don’t know, but the widespread pause from last year was at least one step in the right direction, even though it didn’t go far enough in my view. There are said to be more findings from investigations to be released later this year, and it will be interesting to see what happens after that point.

For now, all we can do is be here for any woman who suffers and needs to make a claim for compensation.