The medical profession has failed when women in agony are dismissed as hysterics | Barbara Ellen

The vaginal mesh scandal betrayed the intimate trust that should exist between doctor and patient, whatever their sex

Whatever comes next in the vaginal mesh scandal, let's hope that it spells the end of the shut up and put up" medical culture when it comes to female healthcare.

The Independent Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Review, led by Baroness Julia Cumberlege, spent two years looking into meshes. It also scrutinised Primodos hormonal pregnancy tests and the epilepsy treatment sodium valproate - both thought to cause birth defects.