THE Scottish Government is “fully considering” a number of recommendations following a review into transvaginal mesh cases.
The review was carried out by Professor Alison Britton, who specialises in healthcare and medical law at Glasgow Caledonian University, and resulted in a 157-page report with a number of recommendations.
The review was set up after women raised concerns of discrepancies in their medical records, particularly when it came to full and partial removal of the mesh.
A total of 18 women came forward to have their case records reviewed as part of the study.
There has been a moratorium on transvaginal mesh surgeries in Scotland since 2018, after a number of women reported pain and distress as a result of the procedure.
The implants are used to treat conditions including pelvic organ prolapse and stress urinary incontinence by providing support to vaginal walls.
In January 2022, then-health secretary Humza Yousaf passed legislation with the support of MSPs to allow women who had paid to undergo the treatment to remove the mesh access to compensation.
Women’s Health Minister Jenni Minto said that the Scottish Government had already taken a number of steps that will address the 21 recommendations in the report.
The suggestions included bespoke data sharing agreements that should be put in place with health boards ahead of any larger case review, more support mechanisms for GPs and medics to help understand and address concerns of patients following mesh surgery, and that Scotland maintains a Mesh Register, recording surgeries that have happened here and in other parts of the UK and overseas.
It also recommends that there needs to be a “clear understanding and precision” regarding the language used to describe the mesh procedure, keeping detailed notes of dialogue between patients and medical professionals regarding any surgery, and the creation of a national specific consent form to “improve consistency of information covered during the counselling process”.
Other suggestions included creating a specific website going through all stages of the surgery and aftermath, that funding be made available for the website, and for referral information to be available online.
Training for surgeons, patients to be more informed of the options available to them, and calls for an agreement should be reached on how "success" is defined and measured were included in the recommendations.
In the introduction to the review, Professor Britton said: “Their personal experience and insight have informed much of the structure and content of this report.
“Despite personal and emotional cost, the majority of these women engaged in the review, not only or even for themselves, but to make a difference to the quality of life for other women. I hope that this report reflects their experiences and that we learn from them.”
Responding to the review, Minto (below) said: “We have received Professor Britton’s report and we are fully considering its 21 recommendations around improving healthcare services for women experiencing mesh complications.
“I would like to thank all the women who took part and shared their experiences.
“We have already taken steps that will address a number of the recommendations, including making a mesh learning package available to GPs to offer them additional support to help them understand and address concerns women may raise with them following transvaginal mesh surgery.
“Steps are also being taken to enhance the information available to patients through the improvement of the Complex Mesh Surgical Service webpages and the development of a patient information leaflet.”
Minto said the Scottish Government are “determined” to do everything in their power to “help those whose lives have been impacted by mesh complications” and ensure they get the correct treatment.
“We will continue to work closely with colleagues within the NHS to ensure that women can access the care that they need and are fully supported by their GP and other clinicians,” she added.
“It is so important that everyone has access to the information they need to make informed decisions about their care. “We want to ensure that satisfaction levels of women attending the NHS specialist service in Glasgow continue to grow and waiting times continue to fall.”
