Mesh Review is slated for ‘failures’

AN investigation into the independent review on mesh implants has uncovered a series of systematic failures in the way it was conducted.

Professor Alison Britton said the review was “ill-conceived, thoughtlessly structured and poorly executed”, but stressed she found no evidence anyone involved had acted “in bad faith”.

It has led to calls for the original report to be thrown out and a new inquiry launched.

Ms Britton was asked by the Scottish Government to examine how the Scottish Independent Review of Transvaginal Mesh Implants was carried out following widespread criticism of its final report.

Her year-long investigative review has made a series of recommendations that may be applied to similar independent reviews in the future.

The Government said it would consider her findings.

The original mesh review was commissioned by ministers after a number of women gave evidence at Holyrood describing how the medical devices had ruined their lives. Many experienced serious complications, including excruciating abdominal pain following procedures to treat pelvic organ prolapse and stress urinary incontinence.

The review group was set up in 2014, but its final report was not published until March 2017. Before it was published, the first chair of the group and three members resigned.

There were claims the report was a “whitewash”, with key parts warning of the risks of mesh implants removed.

Ms Britton’s report states: “Having reviewed the evidence, we have concluded the mesh review and the process leading up to the publication of its final report were characterised by systematic failures.

“We found the Mesh Review was ill-conceived, thoughtlessly structured and poorly executed. Negative factors including irreconcilable differences of opinion of review members, lack of agreement on the interpretation of evidence, unhelpful political and media influences and pressure to complete the report only served to magnify the failures in the process.”

Ms Britton said it was a “major failing” that potential conflicts of interest were not declared or even discussed. She found some members had been paid by the pharmaceutical industry, some were suing and some were being sued.

The report states: “The independence of any investigation is the spine which gives it credibility and legitimacy. Our investigation identified a number of problems with how the mesh review solicited, monitored and reported relevant declarations and conflicts of interests by members of the review group.

“We record a number of criticisms on how the Mesh Review was conducted. Some of these criticisms have informed our recommendations.however, we were satisfied no one involved in the Mesh Review was acting in bad faith.”

Her 46 recommendations include setting up a dedicated unit to support commissioned reviews, and the application of a test of impartiality to allow a review group member’s prior knowledge or involvement in a subject to be disclosed and evaluated.

Scottish Labour MSP Neil Findlay said:

“This report reveals the SNP’S original mesh review was a complete whitewash.”

Scottish Conservative interim leader Jackson Carlaw said there were “very serious lessons to be learned” for the Government.

A Government spokesman said: “The Scottish Government [published] this report on Friday and will give full consideration to the findings in due course.”

Campaigner Marian Kenny said previously: “It is ruining my life.”