Harlow MP Chris Vince calls for ‘redress’ for women affected by pelvic mesh scandal

MP Chris Vince has spoken out on behalf of a female constituent and up to 40,000 other women across the country harmed by pelvic mesh implants.

The Labour politician – whose Harlow constituency includes the Hallingburys, Hatfield Broad Oak, Hatfield Heath, Sheering, Lower Sheering and Matching – secured a Westminster Hall debate about the medical scandal.

In 2018, the Independent Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Review recommended a pause on the use of vaginal mesh, except as a last resort, after women reported serious issues.

Mr Vince told Parliament about constituent Debbie, who he met at his first constituency surgery following his victory in July’s General Election and who was in the House of Commons to hear the debate. Also present was Baroness Julia Cumberlege, who led an inquiry into the use of vaginal mesh, commissioned by then Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt.

Mr Vince said: “[Debbie] was into keeping fit and socialising with friends and family, but, following her operation to have pelvic mesh inserted, she was forced to give up work.

“She now suffers from chronic pain in her hips, pelvis, groin and legs. She often suffers from fatigue. She is unable to exercise. She suffers from incontinence, post-traumatic stress disorder, severe depression and autoimmune disease.

“She later found out that the operation to have the mesh inserted was not even necessary.

“When Debbie had her first operation to have the mesh removed, she was told that it was removed completely but later found out that was not in fact true. She was forced to have a second operation, where, again, not all the mesh was removed.

“Despite winning subsequent court proceedings, she has received no compensation, in part due to the surgeon not being covered by insurance.

“Debbie’s case shows the barriers for victims of medical negligence. It took seven years for Debbie’s case to get to court. Part of her concern is that the surgeons operating to remove the mesh are the same doctors who did the initial operation to insert it.”

Pelvic mesh implants were used in the surgical repair of pelvic organ prolapse and to manage stress urinary incontinence.

Life-changing complications include vaginal scarring, fistula formation, painful sex, bladder infection or perforation, bowel and nerve trauma and pelvic, back and leg pains.

Some of these complications may occur years after surgery and can be difficult to treat. At least 10,000 women in England have been affected, although campaigners suggest the true figure may be closer to 40,000.

Mr Vince said: “Following my meeting with Debbie, two further Harlow residents have come forward who have also been part of this scandal. I have spoken to members across the House who have constituents with the same issue.

“More than 600 women came forward to be part of the Cumberlege review and the subsequent Hughes review. This is a huge issue that affects many people.”

Baroness Cumberlege’s “First, Do No Harm” report in 2020 recommended a programme to meet the cost of care and support for women harmed by the mesh. The Conservative previous Government published its response in July 2021 but did not accept the report’s recommendations about redress.

However, in December 2022, Patient Safety Commissioner Dr Henrietta Hughes was asked to explore further options, and in February this year the Hughes report set out recommendations. It called for an independent, two-stage scheme to provide both financial and non-financial redress for affected patients.

Mr Vince said: “Over the last year we have seen some terrible scandals: the Post Office scandal and the infected blood scandal. When we have debates on those in this House, we recognise that things should have been done much more quickly and that we should have been much more open to providing financial support to the people affected. We should look at this case in those terms.”

Andrew Gwynne, public health and prevention minister, told Mr Vince: “Although the Government are not yet in a position to comment on the recommendations, I assure members that we are considering the wide range of work set out in the report.

“It is a priority for this Government. We are working at pace and we remain focused on making meaningful progress.

“This is a complex area of work, involving several departments, but we are committed to providing an update at the earliest opportunity. I have heard the desire for urgency today.”

Mr Vince ended the debate by saying: “At its heart, it is about women who have been let down and made to feel guilty because they are the victims. That is just not right.”

He said Parliament had debated the issue “time and time again”. He urged: “My ask is for the next debate to be after a ministerial statement.”