There is support for mesh patients (men and women) who have suffered complications of mesh surgery. You will find a selection of some of the more well-known. However, if you cannot find what you are looking for, please feel free to ask our friendly team for some help in getting you to the right place for support. If you know of other agencies we have not included, please do email us and tell us so we can perfect this page. Every webpage can always be improved!
The starting point (that you may already have tried) is to talk to your GP and get a referral back to a surgeon to consider removal of mesh. Not all GPs will know where to send you and support groups like ‘TVT Mum’ below, have a wealth of information to wade through on their website that may assist. Otherwise, contact a specialist clinical negligence firm, such as Medical Solicitors, so we can point you in the right direction.
This page is divided into 4 sections:
- Financial and Housing advice and support
- UK Support Groups
- More emotional support
- Support Groups around the world
1. FOR FINANCIAL ADVICE AND SUPPORT:
The Money Advice Service
For advice on benefits entitlement and financial matters, we recommend you seek further information via your local authority website for local support services or at The Money Advice Service:
Age UK benefits advice for older people
Age UK is for those over State Pension age and living in the area covered by the local branch. Some local branches of Age UK offer a free, confidential benefits advice service. Practical assistance to make sure you’re getting all the benefits to which you are entitled. They can provide advice by telephone, face-to-face and home visits and help with completing forms.
Telephone the Age UK Helpline: 0800 169 6565 (8am-7pm, 365 days a year)
Website: Age UK website
Gingerbread Single Parent Helpline
Gingerbread provides advice and practical support for single parents, including advice on benefits and tax credits.
You can call free on 0808 802 0925 (Monday: 10am to 6pm, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 10am to 4pm, Wednesday: 10am-1pm and 5pm-7pm)
Debt advice
If you’re worried about keeping up with debt repayments there is lots of free, confidential help and advice available. Find out more by following the link below:
Where to go to get free debt advice
Housing advice
If you have rent or mortgage arrears or you’re worried about losing your home, Shelter offers confidential advice on a range of housing issues.
- Visit the Shelter England website
- Visit the Shelter Scotland website
- Visit the Shelter Cymru website
- Visit the Shelter Northern Ireland website
2. UK Support Groups
Sling the Mesh
Cambridgeshire journalist Kath Sansom, set up ‘Sling the Mesh’ in June 2015 after suffering because of a TVT procedure that she had in March 2015.
There are nearly 6000 members now (May 2018). Sling the Mesh is calling for better patient information, a National Register to track mesh problems and ultimately the TVT, TVTO and POP operation to be suspended in England Wales and N. Ireland to tie in with Scotland where it was suspended in June 2014.
This Group is designed to warn women of the risks of mesh used in the TVT and TVTO sling mesh operation for bladder problems /incontinence usually suffered after childbirth. This group is for people injured by mesh used in pelvic organ prolapse POP and hernia operations in men and women, as well as mesh used in rectopexy.
Join Sling the Mesh for support and respectful discussion
On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/784263765025642/?fref=ts
On Twitter @MeshCampaign
Mesh problems
This is a webpage via Facebook to share experiences. It is not a support group, as such. It is purely an opportunity to share experiences and any useful information that you may have. Join this Group and add your voice. Above all, please do not underestimate your own experience. Share with other sufferers… https://www.facebook.com/groups/meshproblems/
Scottish Mesh Survivors
Elaine Holmes and Olive McIlroy fellow mesh sufferers came together and set up this important support group in Scotland. They brought together 100s of fellow sufferers in Scotland and as a result of their amazing efforts campaigning and raising awareness use of mesh in Scotland was suspended.
3. MORE EMOTIONAL SUPPORT:
British Association for Counselling
Telephone number 0870 443 5252.
Website:/ www.bacp.co.uk
Dedicated to the promotion of counselling and maintenance of standards and training and practice, providing information on training and lists of local counsellors on receipt of an S.A.E.
The Samaritans
HELPLINE:
They are there round the clock, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. This number is FREE to call. You don’t have to be suicidal to call them
OR EMAIL: jo@samaritans.org
Website: https://www.samaritans.org/
4. SUPPORT GROUPS WORLDWIDE (spot the ones that are not!)
Pelvic Mesh Owners Guide
This is a quirky ‘smile through the tears’ title from a brave registered nurse of 20 years, now a health activist, herself implanted with mesh. Her website is helping patients find out what is happening, surgeons who will help, and to offer support.
https://pelvicmeshownersguide.com/about-the-author/
Mesh Down Under (Austrailia)
https://www.facebook.com/MeshDownUnder/
Twitter: @MeshDownUnder
Canada Hernia Support Group
https://www.facebook.com/Canada-Hernia-Support-Group-175317695847193/
(USA) Mesh and Bladder Sling Injury Support Group
This is NOT a Support Group! This is a USA firm of lawyers. At Medical Solicitors we should be complete transparency in a situation where there has been so much secrecy and non-disclosure to the detriment of so many. So, if you are in the USA, use the following link if you want representation not necessarily emotional, practical and financial support!
However, if you go through the historical posts you may be able to connect with a fellow sufferer for emotional/ moral support.
Contact our Transvaginal Mesh Compensation Claims Solicitors
We provide urgent legal advice and support for patients anywhere in England & Wales. We have doctors and barristers located all over the UK, who provide us with meeting facilities, in London, Birmingham, Sheffield, Yorkshire, Oxford, Manchester, Leeds, Hull, Liverpool, Newcastle and beyond. Our team will travel to see clients. We think it best to see our clients in the comfort of their own home over a cup of tea. You are not a number to us. Call or email our friendly team free of charge for specialist legal advice on a no win no fee basis today.
