'I'm in constant pain' - woman harmed by vaginal mesh urges action on redress scheme

"I walked into the hospital able-bodied and came out in crutches. After the surgery she was in excruciating pain, and in the years following, her mobility and ability to carry out day-to-day tasks like getting washed and dressed and driving have been affected. She has since had surgery to remove the mesh but it has not been fully removed and the pain never goes away."

"Some women were left in permanent pain, unable to walk, work or have sex, after the surgery to treat incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse. The group Sling the Mesh NI, which is made up of women who have been affected, has almost 700 members and McLarnon said she considers herself one of the lucky ones. She said others had lost organs, have had to sell their homes and have had relationship breakdowns."

"Susan McLarnon, from Belfast, is one of several women travelling to Downing Street later to hand a letter to the prime minister asking for urgent action to be taken on compensation for those harmed by pelvic mesh implants. Two years ago, a major report called for urgent action but campaigners are still waiting."

Women who received vaginal mesh implants for prolapse and urinary incontinence are experiencing severe, permanent complications including chronic pain, mobility loss, and inability to work or have intimate relationships. Susan McLarnon from Belfast, one of hundreds affected, was not informed of risks before her 2016 surgery and now lives in constant pain despite mesh removal. The group Sling the Mesh NI has nearly 700 members, with some losing organs, selling homes, or experiencing relationship breakdown. A major government report two years ago called for urgent action, but campaigners continue waiting for compensation redress scheme implementation. The Department of Health and Social Care acknowledges the significant impact but has not committed to a specific deadline for resolution.

Read at www.bbc.com