On the helpline

This month, a caller rang our helpline for advice about vaginal mesh. She had mesh inserted during an operation three years ago and has suffered numerous complications since. She has needed further surgery and now is in constant pain.

The problems with vaginal mesh have received wide publicity recently: in July, the government paused the use of some vaginal mesh procedures in NHS hospitals in England, and in October, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence issued draft guidelines saying that mesh should only be offered to female patients as one of the last resorts.

Our helpline volunteer gave her advice on the NHS complaints process and how this can help her. We also discussed current issues and class actions, and advised that if she wanted to make a claim for medical negligence, there may be difficulties with limitations, as claims must be brought within three years and the deadline was close in this case.