Sharon Hodgson, Member of Parliament for Washington and Sunderland West, has today called on the Government to accept all nine of the recommendations of the Independent Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Review.
The Review, chaired by Baroness Cumberlege, which examined how the healthcare system in England responds to reports about harmful side effects from medicines and medical devices, in particular: hormone pregnancy tests, such as Primodos; sodium valproate and pelvic mesh implants, published its recommendations today.
The Review recommends that the Government immediately apologise on behalf of the healthcare system to the families affected by Primodos, sodium valproate and pelvic mesh; the appointment of a Patient Safety Commissioner and a central patient-identifiable database to collect key details of the implantation of all devices at the time of operation.
Sharon, who was formerly the Shadow Minister for Public Health, has been working with and supporting patients and campaign groups on these issues for many years.
Sharon said:
“I have heard of the devastating and heart-breaking affects mesh, Primodos and sodium valproate have had on patients and their families, and I know first-hand the impact mesh has had on patients as my own Mam has been badly affected.
“Patients and their families have fought tirelessly for years to get the recognition and acknowledgement that they have today, thanks to the publication of the Independent Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Review.
“I now call on the Government to accept and implement all of these recommendations as a matter of urgency. Patient safety must never be swept under the carpet ever again.”
ENDS