Campaign group Sling the Mesh disappointed by RCOG’s report

A report recently published by the Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists (RCOG) titled, ‘Better for Women’ has left campaign group Sling the Mesh feeling side-lined.

Kath Sansom, Sling the Mesh founder commented: “Yet again mesh injured women are side-lined by RCOG who treat us as if we don't exist.

“They cannot keep ignoring the global women’s health scandal of mesh implants at their conferences, or in their reports - it makes them look as if they are merely paying lip service to women's health, for if they truly cared about the whole woman approach they would include the mesh implant issue within all of their work. To continue to treat it like the elephant on the kitchen table makes Sling the Mesh lose trust in them as an organisation.”

The report was published at the beginning of December this year. As part of the foreword, professor Lesley Regan highlights the importance of talking about issues surrounding women’s health stating, “we must ensure that women’s health secures a place at the top of the healthcare and wider political agenda.”

Additionally, there is a disclaimer within the document claiming, “this report is not aiming to solve every health issue facing girls and women and we recognise that there is plenty more to be achieved. However, it lays the foundation for the creation of Women’s Health Strategies across the UK.” It does seem surprising that the mesh which has been used in women for pelvic organ prolapse and resulted in life changing circumstances for many women fails to be mentioned within the report.

The report covers contraception, abortion and fertility services, as well as violence against girls and women. Gynaecological cancers as well as how to ensure women are able to remain within the workforce are also listed.

A spokesperson from the RCOG told Medical Plastics News: “Stress urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse are common and often debilitating conditions for women. This is why our Better for Women report includes information and recommendations on the need to raise awareness of pelvic floor dysfunction. 

“As part of our report, we are calling on Public Health England, and respective devolved nation bodies, to create a taskforce to consider ways of raising awareness of urinary incontinence and prolapse. This should include improving signposting to resources, self-help information and treatment pathways which alleviate these conditions.

“We will continue to work closely with the Independent Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Review to ensure women receive the safest and most effective treatment for these conditions.”