The CAMHS in North Kerry review, expected to finish by early 2024, has now been delayed until 2025, causing frustration among families. Only 300 cases are being examined, leaving many without answers as delays mount. Families and advocates are calling for an expanded review and quicker resolution to the alleged harm caused by the service.
The Scoping Inquiry report revealed 590 allegations of sexual abuse in special schools, disproportionately affecting vulnerable children. The abuse spanned 17 special schools, with over 190 abusers implicated. Institutions like Lota and Holy Family School were key sites of abuse. Survivors of abuse in special schools are encouraged to seek confidential support.
An Garda Síochána has received more than 160 reports of historical sexual abuse in religious-run schools since launching a public appeal. The reports follow the release of the Scoping Inquiry, which uncovered nearly 3,000 claims of abuse. Survivors are encouraged to contact Gardaí, who have assured privacy and support throughout the investigation process.
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Pelvic mesh implants or vaginal mesh implants refer to a medical device implanted in women suffering from stress urinary incontinence or pelvic organ prolapse. The material used is a polypropylene mesh, which can strengthen tissues within the body. Most of these procedures treat the underlying issue and don’t result in complications. However, the mesh has caused internal injury to thousands of women, resulting in chronic and life-altering side effects. These issues are exacerbated because these devices are intended to be permanent and can be extremely difficult to remove entirely.
For a confidential consultation, please call us at 1800-844-104 for free or email [email protected]. You can also visit us at our 84 Talbot Street, Dublin 1, Ireland office.
In Ireland, using such implants has been standard practice since the 90s. It has been referred to as a “gold standard” treatment and a “quick fix” for these women’s health issues. However, patients were not fully informed of the severe complications that could arise from insertion and the difficulties with removing the devices. The chief medical office halted the use of the devices in Ireland in 2018 in response to mounting evidence of serious complications.
If you are someone who has suffered these complications, you may be able to seek compensation for your injuries. An activist group, Mesh Survivors Ireland, has stated that the majority of their members would never have undergone the implantation procedure if they had been made aware of the extent of the risks. Patients did not anticipate that such a quick procedure could entirely and permanently alter the course of their lives, robbing them of their bodily autonomy and their mental health and well-being. The injury these women have suffered was avoidable and arose due to system-wide failures.
Additionally, the procedures continued to be pushed, and more women were harmed due to the medical community’s failure to listen to and take seriously those who had already been affected. Many never received a diagnosis despite several rounds of invasive investigations. One woman reported that although she underwent every possible test in Ireland, doctors could not identify a physical trigger for her suffering and insisted it was all in her head. One audit by the NHS investigated the experience of 100,516 patients with a mesh implant.
They tracked outpatient appointments in the nine years following the insertion of the device and found that the group required 993,035 appointments. This is a huge figure for a sample of relatively young women following such a standard and widely accepted procedure. Additionally, the need for appointments increases over time, which is the inverse of what should happen following an effective and safe procedure. Despite the startling evidence collected against the use of these implants, they remained a very common treatment for women in Ireland for decades.
Pelvic mesh implant complications have had a catastrophic impact on thousands of women’s lives, often along with their close friends and family. Not only does it take a severe toll on physical health, but it can have a grave impact on affected patients’ mental health, even leading some victims to take their own lives.
A 2024 report published by the Patient Safety Commissioner in the UK revealed some startling accounts of women’s experiences following a pelvic mesh procedure. Women recounted the intense pain they had suffered. One described the sensation as a “drilling through the top of my groin areas” and another “like barbed wire” in their abdomen. Many women also experience difficulty sleeping and extreme levels of fatigue.
The pain and fatigue then have serious knock-on effects. Many women report severe impacts on their mental health and general well-being, as well as their loved ones. Women interviewed for the report stated that they “don’t think many women are going to get through another 20 years of this” and “completely understand the number of women that are crying and want to die.”
Victims have struggled to maintain their close relationships in the aftermath of their injuries. Women can no longer be intimate with their partners or care for their children. In many cases, children have had to take on a caring role for their mothers. Many women have experienced guilt because of how their relationships have had to evolve following the implant. Many hopeful couples have also lost the opportunity to try to conceive again in the future.
Complications have forced many to give up their careers, as they can no longer work, and loved ones may also need to take time off to care for them. This, compounded by the expense of further medical care, has led to severe financial difficulties for many affected families. Some have even lost their homes and pension entitlements.
On top of all of this, many women experienced “extreme gaslighting” as they sought answers. The report described how one consultant was “sitting there rolling his eyes” when a patient came to him seeking a second opinion and then stated, “What’s the point in [you] having a diagnosis if we can’t do anything anyway?” Another woman described a response to a letter she sent to her surgeon querying how adequately she was informed of the procedure’s risks. She alleges the surgeon blamed her for everything. She described the letter as “a total betrayal.” Many argue that the response to pelvic mesh concerns is a clear example of medical misogyny.
The surgical mesh used in pelvic mesh implants or vaginal mesh implants is a non-absorbable material which is intended to support weakened or damaged tissues in the body. Mesh may also be referred to as ribbon, sling or tape. Once implanted in the body, the mesh is intended to stay permanently.
These implants were used to treat stress urinary incontinence or pelvic organ prolapse. These conditions often affect women post-childbirth or when they are going through menopause. When inserted correctly, these implants can be a less invasive method of treating these conditions than alternative procedures.
Most complications arising from pelvic mesh implants are due to the material eroding through the patient’s pelvic tissue following implantation. Complications are exacerbated by the fact that once the implant is inserted, it is challenging to entirely remove as it is designed to become one with your body. Faulty pelvic mesh is known to cause excruciating pain, which can lead to mobility problems, fatigue, inability to work, inability to have intimate relations and significant mental health problems.
If you can satisfy two criteria, you can bring a medical negligence claim:
Collect evidence to prove that you have satisfied the above conditions. This can include medical records, expert reports, and your testimony. I strongly suggest that you engage a lawyer who specialises in pelvic mesh claims to guide you through the process of collecting this evidence, ensure you adhere to court rules, and maximise your chances of recovering from your injuries.
A court may compensate you under two heads of loss:
The ultimate amount you could receive will depend on the circumstances of your particular case and your expected future needs.
Coleman Legal has a team of highly experienced solicitors in medical negligence law and, more specifically, pelvic mesh implant cases. We have guided many clients to success in these claims, so we have in-depth knowledge of how to present your case best.
Our team will manage your claim from start to finish, collecting all necessary records, documentation and reports, relieving the stress of legal proceedings. We understand that pelvic mesh complications can have a catastrophic effect on your physical and mental health, as well as the mental health of your loved ones. We always act with empathy and understanding to best support our clients throughout this process.
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