About the Queensland Pelvic Mesh Service

Queensland Health has established the Queensland Pelvic Mesh Service (QPMS), a holistic service with a team of specialists dedicated to treating, supporting and caring for women who have experienced complications from transvaginal pelvic mesh surgical devices.

The Queensland Pelvic Mesh Service is located at Varsity Lakes Day Hospital on the Gold Coast. Travel and accommodation subsidies are available for women who need to travel more than 50kms from their home to attend the Queensland Pelvic Mesh Service.

A team of medical, nursing and allied health specialists—including physiotherapy, psychology, pharmacy 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 will partner 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 will be transparently discussed between the care provider and the woman.

What to expect

Your general practitioner will be asked to send with your referral to the service any ultrasound, MRI and CT scans, bladder testing (urodynamics) and blood test results you have. Once your referral has been accepted, you will be contacted by a clinical nurse consultant (CNC) from the service. We will collect basic information such as your date of birth and residential address, as well as more specific information about your medical and surgical history and the support services you may require. We will ask questions to help prioritise the care that you need.

You will then be asked to complete questionnaires to holistically assess your possible care and treatment needs. The questionnaires will also track changes in your symptoms and give the treating team an understanding of the effect your condition or treatment has had on your progress and quality of life.

If you would like to request paper copies, get help answering the questions, need interpreter support or information in another language, please speak to the team.

Based on your assessment you will be offered appointments to further meet your treatment and recovery goals. Appointments may be made with:

• nurses
• physiotherapists
• urogynaecologists
• psychologists
• pharmacists
• pain specialists
• social workers.

You are encouraged to bring a support person with you to all appointments. You will be given time to talk about your medical and surgical history, your symptoms and how your life is affected. Our dedicated team will work together with you to develop an individual care plan for your recovery.

Read more about outpatient appointments and what to bring.