Sling The Mesh celebrated after founder Kath Sansom won a prestigious She Inspires award.

Kath won the national agent of change category in a ceremony celebrating women who have made a difference through their leadership, achievements and contribution to society.

Mum-of-two Kath set up Sling The Mesh in 2015 after she suffered instant pain and complicaitons following mesh surgery for mild incontinence.

Hard work and tears

She said: “It has been wonderful to be recognised for all the hours of hard work and tears that goes into running the campaign. All done voluntarily in my spare time.

“Surgical mesh is one of the biggest health scandals of our generation. The campaign continues for improved regulations, better data, fully informed patient consent and early warning triggers of harm, so that no patient suffers in such a widescale tragedy like mesh, ever again.

“A huge thanks needs to go to everyone who has supported over the years – from politicians, to doctors, the support group admin team and many others who have trawled research, dug into scientific evidence, attended meetings and added their voice to important advocacy work.”

Thousands of members

Sling The Mesh was set up with just 20 women in 2015 and now has almost 10,000 members from around the world on its Facebook page – including men who are suffering from hernia mesh complications.

Health secretary Steve Barclay was among those who took to Twitter to congratulate Kath for her award achievement and for her years of hard work, which has resulted in a string of successes for patient safety.

This includes the suspension of one type of mesh implant and a clause in the new Health and Social Care Act to uncover payments made to doctors from industry.

Congratulations to Kath Sansom who has been named the Agent of Change National winner at the She Inspires Awards 2022 for all the work done to highlight the issues with vaginal mesh @SheInsprAwrds #sheinspires

— Steve Barclay (@SteveBarclay) November 25, 2022

.@KathSansom has been a tireless campaigner for mesh victims for many years now – alongside battling her own painful, life-changing complications. What a deserving person to be named Agent of Change. https://t.co/GwjwkhkMrl

— Anna Collinson (@AnnaCollinson) November 26, 2022

Amazing work Kath – you are so impressive.

— Victoria Derbyshire (@vicderbyshire) November 26, 2022

Another success is that NHS specialist pelvic floor physiotherapy is being improved across England from March 2024, for women following childbirth and throughout their lifetime.

The She Inspires Awards are founded and organised by Gulnaz Brennan, and are into their eighth year celebrating women from around the globe and female empowerment.