Medsafe responds to concerns over surgical mesh

Over the last year Nine to Noon has spoken in depth to several people reporting horrific side effects from surgical mesh implants. Now a new survey of people who suffered complications from surgical mesh implants found 95 percent don't believe they were properly informed about its risks. It found 93 percent of the patients experienced pain, and nearly half had mesh erosion (44.6) and recurrence of their original problems (44.6) which included bladder/bowel and pelvic organ prolapse to hernias. The Government last week agreed to recommendations of the Health Select Committee for options to be investigated to set up a surgical mesh registry to record any complications. Kathryn Ryan talks to Patricia Sullivan from advocacy group Mesh Down Under which conducted the survey and Stewart Jessamine, Director Protection, Regulation and Assurance at Medsafe.