Victims who suffered debilitating pain and learning difficulties from pelvic mesh and an epilepsy drug must receive compensation, the author of a report into the treatments told Sky News.

In 2024, the Hughes Report called for a two-stage redress scheme for patients affected by vaginal mesh and sodium valproate, calculated to cost half a billion pounds just for the initial payments.

It was hoped these would come into effect late last year, but no compensation has been paid.

Read more: Victims of ‘avoidable harm’ still awaiting redress

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From 2025: Victims ‘let down’ by compensation delays

Patient Safety Commissioner for England Professor Henrietta Hughes, who authored the report, has now expressed disappointment over the “continued absence of visible and timely progress”.

In a letter to Downing Street, she said: “Given the seriousness of these findings, and the continued impact on patients and their families, it is disappointing that the government still hasn’t provided a substantive response to the Hughes Report.”

And speaking to Sky News nearly two and a half years after her report, Professor Hughes said: “This compounds the harm to patients and families who shared really sensitive, personal information with me and my team.

“On behalf of them, I do feel that this is more than frustrating; this is extremely disappointing.”

What is vaginal mesh and sodium valpropate?

The two medical practices were seperate scandals, both looked into with the Hughes Report – which controversially did not include a scheme for children allegedly damaged by Primodos.

Thousands of babies are thought to have been harmed by sodium valproate use during pregnancies since the 1970s – which Sky News reported was hidden from women for decades.

The drug, used to treat epilepsy and bipolar disorder, is now known to cause birth defects and lifelong learning difficulties. It impacted an estimated 20,000 families.

Transvaginal mesh implants were also used to treat pelvic organ prolapse and incontinence after childbirth between 1998 and 2020.

However, they have caused debilitating harm in some cases, leading to women having their bladders or bowels removed.

The NHS restricted the use of these implants in 2018, and they are now used only as a last resort.

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From 2024: Govt told to act on victim payouts

Professor Hughes added that she sent the letter to Downing Street for more information under the Medicines and Medical Devices Act, with a response deadline set for 16 July.

She said she asked for what information had been discussed and shared within the government on talks of a redress scheme for victims.

“Families deserve an answer and families deserve justice,” she added.

“Putting this in the long grass, which has been happening now for over two years, is just a poor way to treat people, particularly those that have been harmed.”

Referencing the review into a Nottingham maternity scandal where hundreds of mothers and babies died under the care of an NHS trust, Professor Hughes noted that Donna Ockenden “is concerned to use the word ‘recommendation’ in her report”.

As it happened: Act now, maternity scandal inquiry chair tells government

“Because she’s seen reports – like mine – where recommendations have been made to the government, after the government have requested the review, where no action has been taken,” Professor Hughes added.

“I think patients and families deserve better than that. I think that if the government requests a review, they should act swiftly on the recommendations that are made.”

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A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “We recognise the significant impact that sodium valproate and pelvic mesh have had on people and their families.

“This is a complex issue, and our priority is to ensure any response is fair, balanced and sensitive to those affected.

“We are carefully considering the recommendations within the Hughes Report, in collaboration with relevant departments, and we aim to provide an update in due course.”