Vaginal Mesh Victims: Still Waiting for Justice

Vaginal mesh redress scheme: victims continue to wait for government action

In February 2024, the Hughes Report, authored by England’s Patient Safety Commissioner, Professor Henrietta Hughes, recommended a two-stage no fault financial redress scheme for patients harmed by pelvic mesh and sodium valproate, alongside wider non-financial support measures. The intention was that interim compensation payments would be made before the introduction of a fuller compensation scheme. However, more than two years later, victims remain without compensation and the proposed intended awards are limited in value.

The issue has again come into focus following Professor Hughes’ recent letter to Downing Street. On 26 June 2026, she expressed disappointment at the “continued absence of visible and timely progress” and formally requested information from the Government about discussions and decision-making relating to the proposed redress scheme. The deadline for a response is 16 July 2026.

The continuing lack of action is understandably causing further frustration and distress for those affected. Many patients and families contributed to the review process in the hope that their experiences would lead to meaningful change, accountability and support. Instead, they remain without a substantive Government response, or any financial redress.

This delay also raises wider concerns about the effectiveness of national patient safety reviews. Independent reviews are commissioned to identify failures, make recommendations and prevent similar harm from recurring. However, where recommendations are left unanswered for years, there is a risk that the review process itself is undermined, with future reviews being seen as exercises in acknowledgement rather than mechanisms for accountability and change. Patients and families may also understandably question the value of sharing deeply personal and traumatic evidence if the recommendations that follow are not acted upon in a timely and meaningful way.

You don’t have to wait for the Government’s compensation scheme

All women have a right to seek legal advice if they think they have been injured by vaginal mesh and pursuing a negligence claim can be a more satisfactory way of seeking compensation as the awards will be generally higher, depending on the extent of the injury. However, a case of negligent treatment needs to be proven to recover damages.

How can we help?

At Osbornes Law, we have a specialist Vaginal Mesh Team led by Senior Associate Solicitor Josie Robinson, and have recovered substantial compensation for many women injured by mesh. We understand the serious and often deeply personal impact these injuries can have, and we can advise on whether there may be grounds to pursue a claim. We work closely with experienced experts, including urogynaecologists, pain specialists and psychiatrists to support these cases and recover compensation for vulnerable women, many of whom are unable to work and require long term medical treatment and care.

If you or a loved one have been affected by vaginal mesh, don’t hesitate to contact us by:

• completing our online enquiry form;
• or calling us on 020 7485 8811