NHS Trusts across Oxfordshire are being told that they will be acting unlawfully if they fail to enforce ‘high vigilance restrictions’ in the use of mesh implants, after new guidance sparked outrage.
Earlier this week, the Oxford Mail reported on a Wallingford mum hitting out at her vaginal mesh surgery, blaming it for two miscarriages and her new reliance on a mobility scooter.
READ MORE: Mum tells of horrific experience as NICE guidelines slated
Now, campaign group Sling the Mesh and Thompsons Solicitors argue that new National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidance cannot be seen as a ‘green light’ for mesh use - and that doing so would be unlawful.
Sling the Mesh director Kath Sansom said: “We have many women in Oxfordshire who have been affected by mesh.
"They tell us how risks were not explained to them before they had the mesh operation, and how they were ignored when they went back to their surgeons for help. Sadly, in the South East, women tell us it feels like they have suffered an institutional betrayal.
READ AGAIN: Agony: 'Pain from hospital procedure made me wish I was dead'
"We expect Baroness Cumberlege [who is leading a review into mesh] to reach a different conclusion to NICE. We have taken advice from Thompsons Solicitors and to make sure that no more patients are put at risk letters are going to every hospital Trust in the South East, making clear that the new guidelines are not a green light to restart the use of mesh, and that the July 2018 restrictions remain in place."
READ AGAIN: Baroness labels mesh use 'a tragedy' after Oxfordshire hearing
In the letter, to NHS England and all NHS Trusts, Sling the Mesh and Thompsons suggest that the NICE guidelines ignore the vast majority of the evidence-based views that led to an original restriction in July 2018.
They argue that the NICE guidelines can only come into effect when all the conditions in restriction have been satisfied.
Ms Sansom added: “NHS Trusts can easily avoid legal action, they simply have to confirm that, as we are absolutely confident is the case, having not met any or all of the six conditions attached to the July 2018 restriction, they will not be restarting use of mesh.”
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