‘Systematic failures’ found in mesh review

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 “illconceived, thoughtlessly structured and poorly executed”.

She was ask 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 which may be applied to similar reviews in the future.

The Scottish Government said it would consider her findings.

The original mesh review was commissioned by ministers after a number women spoke out at Holyrood on their experiences of being treated with the medical devices.

The review group was set up in 2014, but its final report was not published until March 2017.

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

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

“We found that the Mesh Review was ill-conceived, thoughtlessly structured and poorly executed.”