Queensland Health have established the Queensland Pelvic Mesh Service, a holistic service with a team of specialists dedicated to treating, supporting and caring for women who have experienced complications from pelvic mesh.
The Queensland Pelvic Mesh Service, located at Varsity Lakes Day Hospital on the Gold Coast accepts referrals from general practitioners for women experiencing complications from pelvic mesh (also known as transvaginal mesh). The statewide interdisciplinary service has been co-designed by consumers and clinicians to ensure a patient-centric model of care is provided to women. Travel and accommodation subsidies are available for eligible women who need to travel more than 50kms from their home to attend the Queensland Pelvic Mesh Service.
The Queensland Pelvic Mesh Service was developed to assist women who have experienced pelvic mesh-related complications, including women with chronic pelvic pain, mesh exposure, infection, bleeding, dyspareunia, incontinence, bladder and bowel perforation, difficulty sitting and walking.
A team of medical, nursing and allied health specialists - including physiotherapy, psychology and social work - offer comprehensive treatment and assessment within a mutually respectful and supportive environment. Expertise in surgery, continence care, chronic pain management and counselling is offered as required, to assist women in their activities of daily life and in their recovery.
The Service partners with each woman to develop a treatment and recovery plan that best suits individual needs. Surgery may be considered a part of the woman’s treatment plan, based on best practice and available evidence. Treatment and care options are transparently discussed between the care provider and the woman.
Patients attending the service are assessed and treated by members of the interdisciplinary team. Telehealth services for follow-up care are available for women unable to return to the Queensland Pelvic Mesh Service.
When treatment is completed, the interdisciplinary team will transition the patient back to their local community where ongoing management and support will be coordinated through their primary care provider.
Queensland Pelvic Mesh Service referral forms and Clinical Prioritisation Criteria are available for general practitioners at www.health.qld.gov.au/clinical-practice/referrals/statewide-specialist-services/queensland-pelvic-mesh-service
Queensland Health also has a range of resources for women and consumers at www.qld.gov.au/health/services/specialists/pelvic-mesh-service/patient-resources
Queensland Pelvic Mesh Service contact details: