Latest news with #HughesReport
The Independent
28-02-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Delaying redress for mesh scandal could end up costing taxpayers, warns MP
Delaying redress for victims of the pelvic mesh 'scandal' could end up costing the public purse, a Conservative former Treasury minister has warned. John Glen on Thursday called for a Commons debate about valproate and pelvic mesh, telling MPs that 'we must move on this matter'. Thousands of babies are thought to have been harmed by sodium valproate use during pregnancies since the 1970s, a drug used to treat epilepsy and bipolar disorder which is now known to cause birth defects and lifelong learning difficulties. Pelvic mesh used to treat stress urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse is also thought to have caused complications and harm for thousands of women – possibly more than 200,000 in England – between 1998 and 2020. A report by Patient Safety Commissioner Henrietta Hughes published in February last year recommended that victims of harm should start to receive compensation payments this year. Mr Glen told the Commons: 'It has now been a year since the publication of the Patient Safety Commissioner Hughes Report, which highlighted the devastating impact of valproate and pelvic mesh on thousands of woman and then children. 'Given my experience on the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme (as a Cabinet Office minister) and given what I learned from (policing minister Dame Diana Johnson) when she was sat here in opposition, please can we have some time to discuss this? 'The further delays that could occur will cause enormous additional anxiety but also expense to the taxpayer. 'We must move on this matter.' Commons Leader Lucy Powell replied from the despatch box: 'He does raise a very important issue that has been raised as he said by colleagues with me before recess on the Hughes Report and the valproate and pelvic mesh scandal, which I know is a big issue in the last parliament. 'I know the minister has met with families and is considering in great depth the report, and I will absolutely ensure that at the earliest opportunity the House is given a full update on these matters. 'And I look forward to him from those backbenches as well continuing to raise that with me if that doesn't happen.'
The Independent
07-02-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Safety Commissioner highlights ‘injustice' over lack of redress for mesh scandal
Ministers have been urged to give financial compensation to women affected by the mesh scandal as the Patient Safety Commissioner expressing her disappointment over a lack of action to date. Last year, Dr Henrietta Hughes highlighted that thousands of women's lives were 'destroyed' because of pelvic mesh and said that there was a 'clear case for redress' for thousands of women and children affected by vaginal mesh implants and sodium valproate. She said the Government should create a two-stage financial redress scheme – an interim scheme and a main scheme. It is very disappointing that women who have suffered so much harm are still waiting for redress Dr Henrietta Hughes, Patient Safety Commissioner But campaigners said they have 'faced silence' in the year since the report was published. Dr Hughes said: 'It is very disappointing that women who have suffered so much harm are still waiting for redress. 'This is an injustice as it augments the original harm they suffered. They need redress now and the Government must act immediately.' Kath Sansom, founder of the Sling the Mesh campaign group, called on the Government to urgently act on the report's findings. Ms Sansom told the PA news agency that women's lives have been 'irreparably damaged' by mesh, with many unable to work or reduce their hours due to chronic pain and disability. But despite this, no compensation scheme has been put in place to help those affected, Ms Sansom said. Kath Sansom, Sling The Mesh She said: 'For a year, we have waited for action, but all we've received is silence. 'The Hughes Report made it clear that financial redress is essential. 'It is unacceptable that the Government continues to turn a blind eye to women who have lost their health, their jobs, and their quality of life through no fault of their own. 'The time for excuses is over – we need action now.' Transvaginal mesh implants were used to treat pelvic organ prolapse and incontinence after childbirth. However, in some cases they have caused debilitating harm to some women. Side effects have included infection, pelvic pain, difficulty urinating, pain during sex and incontinence. MP Sharon Hodgson, chairwoman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for First Do Harm, said: 'A year on from the publication of the Hughes Report which calls for a redress scheme for women impacted by the mesh and valproate scandals – the Government are yet to issue a response. 'I will not rest until these thousands of women and families get the justice they deserve. 'They have been let down by a system supposed to protect them and as a result will suffer lifelong physical and mental barriers – they will never be the same again. 'While financial compensation cannot reverse this damage, it would at least provide confirmation to them that – contrary to the gaslighting and dismissal they have received – they were right to raise concerns, that they were wronged, that it wasn't their fault, and that they deserve better.' Alison Fuller, from the charity Epilepsy Action, said: 'It's been a year since Hughes report led by the Patient Safety Commissioner on redress options for people harmed by sodium valproate and pelvic mesh. This is a complex area of work and Health Minister Baroness Gillian Merron met with some of those affected before Christmas, and has committed to providing an update to the Patient Safety Commissioner at the earliest opportunity Department of Health and Social Care 'For the first time, the report sets out the options to provide redress for people harmed by sodium valproate, when risks weren't communicated effectively. 'These families are struggling immensely, not just from an emotional standpoint, but from a financial one, too. They have been for decades. They simply can't wait any longer. 'Yet a year on we still have no clear timeline for a response to the recommendations. We're aware the Government has acknowledged it and committed to considering it. But the people affected deserve more than that.' A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: 'The harm caused by sodium valproate and pelvic mesh continues to be felt today. Our sympathies are with those affected and we are fully focused on how best to support patients and prevent future harm. 'This is a complex area of work and Health Minister Baroness Gillian Merron met with some of those affected before Christmas, and has committed to providing an update to the Patient Safety Commissioner at the earliest opportunity.'
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Govt faces calls to compensate women affected by mesh scandal
The government has been urged to give financial compensation to women affected by the mesh scandal - as the patient safety commissioner said she was disappointed by the "silence" victims say they have faced. Dr Henrietta Hughes highlighted in a report last year that thousands of women's lives were "destroyed" and that there was a "" for thousands of women and children affected by implants and sodium valproate. She urged ministers to create a two-stage financial redress scheme - an interim scheme and a main scheme as campaigners said they have "faced silence" in the year since the report was published. "It is very disappointing that women who have suffered so much harm are still waiting for redress," she said. "This is an injustice as it augments the original harm they suffered. They need redress now and the government must act immediately." Kath Sansom, founder of the Sling the Mesh campaign group, said that women's lives have been "irreparably damaged" by mesh, with many unable to work or forced to reduce their hours due to chronic pain and disability. Despite this, no compensation scheme has been put in place to help those affected, Ms Sansom said. "For a year, we have waited for action, but all we've received is silence," she said. "The Hughes Report made it clear that financial redress is essential. "It is unacceptable that the government continues to turn a blind eye to women who have lost their health, their jobs, and their quality of life through no fault of their own. "The time for excuses is over - we need action now." Read more: Transvaginal mesh implants were used to treat pelvic organ prolapse and incontinence after childbirth. But they have caused debilitating harm to some women. Side effects have included infection, pelvic pain, difficulty urinating, pain during sex and incontinence. A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: "The harm caused by sodium valproate and pelvic mesh continues to be felt today. Our sympathies are with those affected and we are fully focused on how best to support patients and prevent future harm. "This is a complex area of work and health minister Baroness Gillian Merron met with some of those affected before Christmas, and has committed to providing an update to the patient safety commissioner at the earliest opportunity."
Sky News
07-02-2025
- Health
- Sky News
Govt faces calls to compensate women affected by mesh scandal
The government has been urged to give financial compensation to women affected by the mesh scandal - as the patient safety commissioner said she was disappointed by the "silence" victims say they have faced. Dr Henrietta Hughes highlighted in a report last year that thousands of women's lives were "destroyed" and that there was a " clear case for redress" for thousands of women and children affected by vaginal mesh implants and sodium valproate. She urged ministers to create a two-stage financial redress scheme - an interim scheme and a main scheme as campaigners said they have "faced silence" in the year since the report was published. "It is very disappointing that women who have suffered so much harm are still waiting for redress," she said. "This is an injustice as it augments the original harm they suffered. They need redress now and the government must act immediately." Kath Sansom, founder of the Sling the Mesh campaign group, said that women's lives have been "irreparably damaged" by mesh, with many unable to work or forced to reduce their hours due to chronic pain and disability. Despite this, no compensation scheme has been put in place to help those affected, Ms Sansom said. "For a year, we have waited for action, but all we've received is silence," she said. "The Hughes Report made it clear that financial redress is essential. "It is unacceptable that the government continues to turn a blind eye to women who have lost their health, their jobs, and their quality of life through no fault of their own. "The time for excuses is over - we need action now." Transvaginal mesh implants were used to treat pelvic organ prolapse and incontinence after childbirth. But they have caused debilitating harm to some women. Side effects have included infection, pelvic pain, difficulty urinating, pain during sex and incontinence. A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: "The harm caused by sodium valproate and pelvic mesh continues to be felt today. Our sympathies are with those affected and we are fully focused on how best to support patients and prevent future harm. "This is a complex area of work and health minister Baroness Gillian Merron met with some of those affected before Christmas, and has committed to providing an update to the patient safety commissioner at the earliest opportunity."
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Safety Commissioner highlights ‘injustice' over lack of redress for mesh scandal
Ministers have been urged to give financial compensation to women affected by the mesh scandal as the Patient Safety Commissioner expressing her disappointment over a lack of action to date. Last year, Dr Henrietta Hughes highlighted that thousands of women's lives were 'destroyed' because of pelvic mesh and said that there was a 'clear case for redress' for thousands of women and children affected by vaginal mesh implants and sodium valproate. She said the Government should create a two-stage financial redress scheme – an interim scheme and a main scheme. But campaigners said they have 'faced silence' in the year since the report was published. Dr Hughes said: 'It is very disappointing that women who have suffered so much harm are still waiting for redress. 'This is an injustice as it augments the original harm they suffered. They need redress now and the Government must act immediately.' Kath Sansom, founder of the Sling the Mesh campaign group, called on the Government to urgently act on the report's findings. Ms Sansom told the PA news agency that women's lives have been 'irreparably damaged' by mesh, with many unable to work or reduce their hours due to chronic pain and disability. But despite this, no compensation scheme has been put in place to help those affected, Ms Sansom said. She said: 'For a year, we have waited for action, but all we've received is silence. 'The Hughes Report made it clear that financial redress is essential. 'It is unacceptable that the Government continues to turn a blind eye to women who have lost their health, their jobs, and their quality of life through no fault of their own. 'The time for excuses is over – we need action now.' Transvaginal mesh implants were used to treat pelvic organ prolapse and incontinence after childbirth. However, in some cases they have caused debilitating harm to some women. This morning's launch in Parliament of my report into redress options for those harmed by pelvic mesh and valproate heard how women were deceived, kept in the dark, and fobbed off and let down by the health system – read the report at — Patient Safety Commissioner (@PSCommissioner) February 7, 2024 Side effects have included infection, pelvic pain, difficulty urinating, pain during sex and incontinence. MP Sharon Hodgson, chairwoman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for First Do Harm, said: 'A year on from the publication of the Hughes Report which calls for a redress scheme for women impacted by the mesh and valproate scandals – the Government are yet to issue a response. 'I will not rest until these thousands of women and families get the justice they deserve. 'They have been let down by a system supposed to protect them and as a result will suffer lifelong physical and mental barriers – they will never be the same again. 'While financial compensation cannot reverse this damage, it would at least provide confirmation to them that – contrary to the gaslighting and dismissal they have received – they were right to raise concerns, that they were wronged, that it wasn't their fault, and that they deserve better.' Alison Fuller, from the charity Epilepsy Action, said: 'It's been a year since Hughes report led by the Patient Safety Commissioner on redress options for people harmed by sodium valproate and pelvic mesh. 'For the first time, the report sets out the options to provide redress for people harmed by sodium valproate, when risks weren't communicated effectively. 'These families are struggling immensely, not just from an emotional standpoint, but from a financial one, too. They have been for decades. They simply can't wait any longer. 'Yet a year on we still have no clear timeline for a response to the recommendations. We're aware the Government has acknowledged it and committed to considering it. But the people affected deserve more than that.' A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: 'The harm caused by sodium valproate and pelvic mesh continues to be felt today. Our sympathies are with those affected and we are fully focused on how best to support patients and prevent future harm. 'This is a complex area of work and Health Minister Baroness Gillian Merron met with some of those affected before Christmas, and has committed to providing an update to the Patient Safety Commissioner at the earliest opportunity.'
