In 2020, a safety review led by Baroness Cumberlege concluded what many already knew: surgical mesh has caused irreversible harm to thousands of women across the UK. The findings were damning, the testimonies heart-wrenching, and yet, years later, the suffering continues – quietly, painfully, and for many, invisibly.

Despite recommendations in the Cumberlege First Do No Harm report, despite the promises, some types of pelvic mesh is still being used. And worse still, those already harmed have yet to receive the compensation, care, and justice they were assured would come.

The following quotes come directly from women who’ve been affected. They’re raw, honest, and heartbreaking — and they speak louder than any report or policy statement ever could. These are voices that demand to be heard.

“I find it utterly depressing that even after the review by Baroness Cumberledge, mesh continues to be used.”

“Mesh isn’t just affecting people physically, it causes emotional distress when relationships break down and psychological problems, when no one is listening.”

“I can feel myself fading into oblivion, presumably that’s what they’re hoping we’ll all do.”

“My divorce lawyer told me he’s seen about 6 women whose marriages have broken down due to mesh affecting their relationships. What an appalling risk of a treatment routinely given in the NHS for more than 20 years.”

“Without Sling The Mesh support page I would have suffered in silence. Some days I don’t want to be here the pain and loss of my quality of life is too much.”

“It’s not my fault. The NHS did this to me; put this poisonous mesh in me. It has completely ruined my life.”

“I am in my early 40s and am having to look for bungalows as stairs are too much for me to manage – all because of mesh.”

“We need compensation for having our lives ruined from believing our surgeon when they said we were getting a gold standard fix.”

“The government need to give us more than promises of working ‘at pace’ – they need to give an actual time frame.”

“The government needs to stop writing letters and actually DO something to try and put this scandal right for women harmed through no fault of their own.”

Women harmed by mesh don’t want more meetings or letters. They don’t want placation. They want action. They need financial redress to restore a sense of security and dignity. They need accessible healthcare that acknowledges and addresses the trauma they’ve endured. They need answers. And they need all of this now — not in another 10 or 20 years.

Let’s not allow this to be another Post Office or blood contamination scandal that takes decades to be recognised with proper justice. The suffering is real. The time for justice is long overdue.