Our Urogynaecology team has specialist expertise to treat women with complications caused by pelvic mesh surgery, including surgical management where appropriate. In consultation with the Urogynaecology nursing team and other specialists within the Queensland Pelvic Mesh Service we will develop a plan to assess and treat your pelvic mesh complications. We strive to take a best practice approach, and will continue to monitor surgical developments closely as research in this important area of care for women is ongoing.
Our team
The service provides access to a specialist team, including experienced urogynaecologists, nurses, psychologists, physiotherapists, pharmacists and social workers working with you to support your recovery.
The range of specialists within the service underlines the complex nature of the issue. Other specialists such as colorectal surgeons, urologists and plastic surgeons may also be involved.
This service has proudly been developed with the close involvement of consumers, including women who have been impacted by pelvic mesh complications. The clinic model has enabled consumers to collaborate with each other and with the specialists delivering the service to have genuine input into how the service operates.
The service adheres to the principles of management as outlined in recent publications from the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care. All surgeons hold required qualifications and credentials.
The Queensland Pelvic Mesh Service team
The urogynaecology clinical nurse consultant (CNC) is your contact person within the service when you need guidance and advice. Our CNCs will assist you with further investigations including (but not limited to) urodynamic studies and education on self-catheterisation. They help provide a coordinated team approach to your recovery journey.
Jennifer Rayner—Clinical Nurse Consultant
Physiotherapy is at the centre of our rehabilitation support.
Treatment may include:
- pelvic floor muscle spasm relief (this involves an internal examination to massage the muscles)
- pelvic floor muscle downtraining/relaxation
- bladder retraining and urge deferral techniques
- management of constipation
- addressing chronic pelvic pain with different treatment techniques.
Physiotherapists can give advice, education and provide practical strategies to assist your recovery. You may be offered a home program for ongoing treatment and guidance. It can contribute to a steady, graduated return to activities that help you maintain a quality life.
Psychologists and psychiatrists can support you to prepare for medical procedures, diagnoses and treatment, work through sexual health problems and provide treatment for anxiety and depression. Our approach will be tailored to your individual needs and may include:
- assessment of current mental health
- goals for mental health
- short to medium term psychological therapy
- monitoring of symptoms and
- emotional support.
The Queensland Pelvic Mesh Service is partnering with the Interdisciplinary Persistent Pain Centre (IPPC) at Campus Alpha, in the Robina Health Precinct, to provide care and treatment to women with chronic pain. The IPPC includes a team of health care professionals providing comprehensive multidisciplinary care and treatment for chronic pain with state-wide networks to support patients as they return home.
Many women who have had complications as a result of transvaginal mesh, have told us they felt their concerns around chronic pain have been overlooked, brushed aside or wholly ignored. Their voices have been heard and the Queensland Pelvic Mesh Service is partnering with the IPPC to provide:
- support, education and interdisciplinary therapy for people with persistent pain
- a holistic approach with the goal of clients improving their wellbeing and quality of life through active self-management.
- treatment in both group and individual formats to maximise learning and support.
As with any new health service, it is vital to evaluate the impact of the QPMS and to assess the outcomes of women whose pelvic mesh complications are managed by the QPMS. The QPMS is therefore conducting research entitled “The impact of a multidisciplinary management of pelvic mesh complications: a prospective mixed methods study”. The Principal Investigators are Associate Professor Malcolm Frazer, Professor Judith Goh, Associate Professor Kathleen Baird and Dr Vivian Wong.
Clients of the QPMS will be asked to complete health questionnaires as part of their standard care at 5 different time points (prior to first QMS appointment, 3, 6, 12 and 24 months). Following 6 months of management within the QPMS, participants will be given an option to participate in either individual (face-to-face or via telephone) or focus group interviews. Should a participant become distressed when discussing their experiences, support from the QPMS psychologist and social worker will be offered.
If you have any questions about this study or would like further information, please contact Anne-Marie Feary (Clinical Research Nurse) on anne-marie.feary@health.qld.gov.au or QPMSReferralsGCHHS@health.qld.gov.au
Our Administration team provides effective, efficient and professional support to patients and are often the first point of contact when you use our services. The team provides high quality customer service when scheduling appointments within the multi-disciplinary team and will manage your queries about our services.
Our social workers will help assess your values, beliefs, hopes and emotions to better understand the impact of the pelvic mesh complications on your quality of life and ability to function.
We can help identify social and support networks to help you find ways to cope and adapt to your individual situation. We work with women to identify their strengths, areas of competence and control. Knowing individual stressors helps you understand how these could impact on physical, emotional and psychological wellbeing.
Within the specialist team, the social worker can advocate and negotiate on your behalf (with your consent). We can link you to other services and resources such as welfare information, disability support, psychoeducation and other community support organisations to help with losses you may have experienced in terms of employment and income due to health implications.
Social Worker—Peggy Yeomans