The Department of Health’s Chief Medical Officer has recommended that a pause be put in place on the use of synthetic mesh for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and pelvic organ prolapse (POP.) The net-like fabric can be attached into the wall of the vagina to act as a scaffold to support organs, such as the bladder, to keep them in the right place to help manage incontinence or other conditions called prolapse.
However, the regulatory status of these synthetic mesh implants remain unchanged and they continue to be CE marked as medical devices. The HPRA which is the regulatory body in Ireland does not issue CE marks or approve medical devices for the Irish market. They are currently conducting a review of the regulatory aspects of these products as a matter of priority.
Liam Moloney Solicitor, whose firm is helping patients injured by these devices said today “this decision acknowledges that there are serious safety issues over these devices. It is estimated that hundreds of Irish women have had mesh fitted and many have reported severe abdominal and vaginal pain along with infections and bleeding following the insertion of them.”
The mesh which is usually made from synthetic polypropylene is intended to repair damage to weakened tissues. A report by the US Regulatory Body FDA said once the mesh was implanted it was very difficult and sometimes impossible to remove.
Thousands of lawsuits have been filed in the UK and America against hernia mesh manufacturers and record levels of damages have been awarded to injured women.
Moloney & Co. Solicitors have received instructions from women who have been affected by hernia mesh and have brought together a multi-disciplinary team to fight these cases in the Irish Courts.
If you believe that you have been injured as a result of these mesh devices you may be entitled to pursue an action for compensation against their manufacturers. Please feel free to contact our firm today in the strictest of confidence to discuss the procedure that would be involved in pursuing such a legal action. All enquiries can be emailed to info@moloneysolicitors.ie or call 045 898000.
