Rejected petition Make complications of abdominal mesh surgery a recognised disability in the uk

To make complications of mesh surgery a recognised disability in the uk, so patients affected can get the appropriate support that they need, as is seen with other recognised disabilities.

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Now that it is becoming more apparent that mesh surgery has changed the lives of a significant number of women, many with debilitating symptoms. Victims of mesh surgery should now be recognised as having a disability in the uk, so that they can receive the support that they need, rather than being forgotten about/brushed under the carpet. There is a lot of employer discrimination due to a lack of understanding in this area, which would be improved with this new legislation.

This petition was rejected

Why was this petition rejected?

It’s not clear what the petition is asking the UK Government or Parliament to do.

Petitions need to call on the Government or Parliament to take a specific action.

We understand that you are concerned about people who have suffered complications as a result of abdominal mesh surgery, but we're not sure exactly what you'd like the Government or Parliament to do.

The Government's guidance on disability under the Equality Act 2010 states that you’re disabled if you have a physical or mental impairment that has a ‘substantial’ and ‘long-term’ negative effect on your ability to do normal daily activities:
https://www.gov.uk/definition-of-disability-under-equality-act-2010

It is therefore already the case that under the Equality Act, anyone with a physical or a mental condition which has a substantial and long-term impact on your ability to do normal day to day activities is protected under the disability protected characteristic. This could cover people who have complications as a result of abdominal mesh surgery, where this has a a ‘substantial’ and ‘long-term’ negative effect on their ability to do normal daily activities.

Find out more about the Equality Act here:
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/law-and-courts/discrimination/about-discrimination/equality-act-2010-discrimination-and-your-rights/

We only reject petitions that don’t meet the petition standards.

Date submitted 5 March 2021
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