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First details of pelvic mesh registry emerge, disappointing advocates

Some waited more than a decade for a way to make sure women were never again unwittingly inserted with damaging pelvic mesh. Now its finally come but they feel marginalised yet again.

First details of a national registry for controversial pelvic mesh devices reveals the long-awaited, Senate-recommended database has been delayed by COVID-19 and will be limited by inadequate Medicare ID numbers.

The Australian Pelvic Floor Proceedure Registry Committee has told a state parliamentary inquiry into surgical mesh implants on Monday that the federally-funded register was to go live from July.

However, in giving evidence during day four of hearings, APFPRC primary chief investigator Professor Susannah Ahern said the cessation of elective surgery nationwide had meant the registry would be delayed by up to three months.

Jared Kent and his wife Kim Blieschke at the medical mesh inquiry at Old Parliament House. Picture: Brenton Edwards
Jared Kent and his wife Kim Blieschke at the medical mesh inquiry at Old Parliament House. Picture: Brenton Edwards

Prof Ahern said the register would be voluntary and would not include those already implanted with mesh devices to treat urinary stress incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse – unless they presented with complications.

Colleague Professor Helen O’Connell said the Medicare numbers for mesh devices needed “urgent revision”. She said there was currently no way of knowing what device has been implanted by the Medicare number.

Spokeswoman for mesh-injured South Australians Kim Blieschke said the registry had failed before it had begun because those affected had not, yet again, been adequately consulted.

“It’s the first I’ve heard about it and it has significant consequences for women and men affected by surgical mesh devices,” Ms Blieschke said.

“Thousands of women who have had mesh implanted – some of them unwittingly – would not be recognised by this registry,” she said.

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“It needs to be mandatory because we already know that doctors and surgeons who have or continue to implant mesh devices are reluctant to report adverse events.”

The register was a recommendation of a 2017 Senate inquiry into pelvic mesh and aims to address the lack of systematic data collection and reporting of inserted mesh products, associated complications and removals.

As reported by the Sunday Mail’s special investigation, the number of woman affected by pelvic mesh devices over the last 15 years remains unknown, however a class action against one of the nations’ biggest suppliers has revealed more than 40,000 have been implanted with just nine of dozens of devices.

The next inquiry hearing is scheduled for May 11.

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Original URL: https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/first-details-of-pelvic-mesh-registry-emerge-disappointing-advocates/news-story/a9187c630cd812746e8871b392ab0975