Auto Amazon Links: No products found. Blocked by captcha.
Kerry Watson, a 40-year-old mother of three from Kinmel Bay in Conwy, has been living with relentless and crippling pain since undergoing vaginal mesh surgery in 2014. The procedure was intended to address a prolapsed bladder, but it instead left her dependent on a walking stick and taking in excess of 100 tablets weekly to manage the severe discomfort. She describes waking from the operation with pain that never ceased and progressively worsened, making everyday tasks and interactions difficult.
Her experience is not isolated; Kerry is among 25 women who have received compensation after undergoing similar operations performed by the same surgeon in north Wales. The Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB), which oversees NHS services in that region, has issued an apology and acknowledged shortcomings in informing patients about the risks, side effects, and alternative treatments prior to surgery. Kerry recounts how the pain felt like “a needle through my back” that extended through her front, severely restricting her mobility and significantly impacting her mental health.
Vaginal mesh surgery involves implanting a synthetic plastic mesh to support pelvic organs, typically used to treat pelvic organ prolapse and stress urinary incontinence. However, it has been linked to serious side effects, including infections, chronic pelvic pain, difficulty urinating, painful intercourse, and ongoing incontinence. Reflecting the growing concerns, the NHS halted the use of vaginal mesh in 2018. After a decade of suffering, Kerry underwent surgery in June 2024 to partially remove the mesh, which has somewhat alleviated her pain but not eliminated it entirely. She awaits further operations to address the ongoing issues.
The consultant responsible for Kerry’s original procedure, Derek Klazinga, retired in 2016. Several women under his care, including Kerry, have reported not receiving adequate information about potential risks and alternative treatment options. When approached by media regarding consent processes and patient information, Klazinga did not provide a response, but he did issue a previous statement expressing sympathy for the pain caused by defective medical devices. Meanwhile, Dr Clara Day, the executive medical director at BCUHB, recognized the distress and harm caused to some patients, acknowledging shortcomings in record-keeping and consent procedures. She emphasized that every claim has informed improvements, which have been reviewed by external experts to prevent future issues
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
Auto Amazon Links: No products found. Blocked by captcha.