Obstetrics & Gynaecology Chair calls for access to surgical procedure

In 2018, the HSE put a pause on vaginal mesh surgeries.

Dr Suzanne O’Sullivan, Chair of RCPI Institute of Obstetrics and Gynaecologists, recently advocated at Leinster House for equal access for Irish women to all treatment options for Stress Urinary Incontinence (USI) in keeping with international best practice – including access to vaginal mesh procedures. She presented evidence, alongside other clinicians and patient representatives who shared their personal experiences.

Women all over Europe and elsewhere in the world have this choice available to them.

“We want women to have an informed choice as to which treatment is best for them,” Dr O’Sullivan said.

When the pause was put in place seven years ago, the HSE put forward 19 recommendations to be completed before considering the reintroduction of vaginal mesh. All 19 recommendations have been implemented including a national clinical guideline, co-authored by Dr. O’Sullivan.

The ‘National Clinical Practice Guideline in the Assessment and Management of Stress Urinary Incontinence in Women’, published by the HSE in 2023, states that along with international best practice and evidence-based best practice, any woman considering surgery for stress incontinence should be offered a mid-urethral sling [mesh] as an option.

Similar mesh slings for men with post prostatectomy stress incontinence remain available and have not been paused anywhere.

Dr O’Sullivan told the Irish Independent why she’s calling for equal access for Irish women to all treatment options for SUI. Read the article here.