A Cambridgeshire mum of two is celebrating after winning an international award for her women’s health campaign.
Kath Sansom, who founded the Sling the Mesh Campaign in 2015, has received a She Inspires award in the National Agent of Change category.
MP Steve Barclay, the health secretary, took to social media to congratulate her for the years of hard work, which has resulted a number of successes for patient safety.
Her successes include: the suspension of one type of mesh implant that was causing complications for women; a government-commissioned review into patient safety; and a clause in the Health and Social Care Act to uncover payments made to doctors from industry.
Another impressive milestone for Kath is that NHS specialist pelvic floor physiotherapy is being improved across England from March 2024, for women following childbirth and throughout their lifetime.
Kath, 54, of March 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.”
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.
Surgical mesh is made from polypropylene plastic and is used to support weak tissue in operations to fix prolapse, incontinence, hernia and also in some breast reconstruction surgeries following mastectomy.
Kath collected her award at an international ceremony held in Bolton last Thursday (November 24).
She added: “A huge thanks needs to go to all the people who have 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.”
The She Inspires Awards are now in their eighth year and recognise exceptional women who have made a difference through their leadership, achievements and contribution to society.
For 2022, they showcased local, national and international women from around the world from India to America to Ukraine.
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