Following international concern about the safety of transvaginal mesh, the State Government has set up a confidential and free contact line for Western Australian women.
The Freecall line (1800 962 202) is available for all WA women who have had mesh implanted, particularly those who report complications or adverse side effects.
The line is now operational and staffed from 8.30am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday, with after-hours calls returned the next business day.
As well as providing a link to expertise and clinical services, the contact line will help determine the magnitude of the problem faced in WA, as it is unknown how many women may have mesh-related symptoms.
This could be due to a variety of reasons such as the way this surgery was coded, age of the records, delayed onset of symptoms, and the clinical difficulties in diagnosis.
A mesh register will also be established to prospectively record the use of pelvic and abdominal mesh. King Edward Memorial Hospital will keep a record of all women who will be seen at the specialist urogynaecology clinic or referred to their GP for follow up.