There were previous NICE mesh implant guidelines that were designed to ensure that the risks posted by transvaginal mesh and transvaginal tape were limited.

NICE – AKA the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence – published guidance, as did senior medical experts and healthcare leaders, about the sorts of requirements that should be met for NHS trusts that wished to carry out the procedures, and how they should go about patient selection and advice. This was designed to limit the risk involved in the use of mesh implant procedures.

At the end of 2017, that changed. In fact, in December last year, NICE altered their stance and called for an outright ban on the use of some mesh implants in the UK, and only last month did we finally see the NHS take more appropriate action.

“Serious but well recognised safety concerns”, said NICE mesh implant publication

In the December 2017 NICE mesh implant publication, the “serious but well recognised safety concerns” were highlighted and there was the suggestion that, for certain procedures, mesh implants should not be used for anything other than research.

This was effectively a call for a ban on the use of certain mesh implant procedures, and it was perhaps one of the first more recent steps towards the review last month that finally led to the NHS putting a widespread halt on the use of mesh implants.

NICE mesh implant reviews suggest more long-term research required

The NICE mesh implant reviews of last year also highlighted the ongoing issue that there really is a lack of evidence and information about the long-term, efficacy of the devices. More and more women have ended up coming forward – some of them years after their initial surgery – suffering with severe, lifelong complications.

Some of the complications caused by mesh implant devices failing can be catastrophic, with some women unable to walk or work ever again.

No added benefits

The NICE mesh implant information also suggested that there appears to be no added benefits in the use of mesh implants as opposed to using native tissue in the patient to repair the problem.

One of the primary issues of the mesh implant devices when they fail is that they can end up being completely impossible to remove, leaving patients with lifelong problems. If there are no added benefits to their use, why are we using them at all?

Legal advice for compensation

If you need assistance for making a claim for compensation, please contact the team as soon as you can.

The NICE mesh implant publications are one of many from a wealth of reports and expert insights in to the dangers of these devices. Women who have suffered must not suffer in silence.