The government has begun a full audit of how many women have suffered complications as a result of vaginal mesh implants.
In the past decade, about 100,000 women have had a mesh fitted. It is inserted into the vaginal wall to treat incontinence and prolapse.
More than 800 women are taking legal action against the NHS and mesh manufacturers after the device tore into tissue. Some women have been left in permanent pain, unable to walk, work or have sex. Last year Kate Langley told the Victoria Derbyshire programme on BBC Two: “The mesh had cut its way through like cheese-wire.”
Kath Sansom, founder of the campaign group Sling the Mesh, said: “After two decades of mesh use with poor audit, the government is finally hearing the voices of women whose lives have changed beyond repair.”
The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists advises women: “If you decide to go ahead with a procedure using mesh, the operation should only be performed by a specialist with expertise in this technique.”
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The audit will be completed by April.