Skip to main content

Election 2026

The Scottish Parliament election was held on Thursday 7 May 2026. 

For information on results and what happens next, please visit Election 2026

Loading…

Chamber and committees

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee [Session 6]


David Hardy submission of 26 July 2021

PE1865/BBB - Suspend all surgical mesh and fixation devices

I had polypropylene mesh fitted in July 2019 for an inguinal hernia. I woke up from the operation with nerve damage from 16 metal tacks placed in the mesh, one or more cutting my lateral cutaneous nerve. I had excruciating leg pain for over 2 months whilst the nerve died and ended up going to Germany to have the whole lot taken out with abdominal wall reconstruction in July 2020. 

I had a final operation in June 2021 to remove 1 metal tack missed in Germany. I’ve lost 2 years of my life due to this mesh, unable to work or sit up straight until this month. I believe that doctors in the UK are too invested in mesh, using it as a cheap quick fix when it can be done with bio-dissolvable stitches and no mesh.

Would you like to have mesh placed in your body with metal tacks?

I hope a ban will come into place as soon as possible. 


Related correspondences