Women suing NHS over vaginal mesh implants

The Victoria Derbyshire programme has highlighted that over 800 UK women are taking legal action against the NHS and the makers of vaginal mesh implants, after come women were left unable to walk as a result of the pain.

The implants are used to treat pelvic organ prolapse after childbirth, however some have been found to cut into the wall of the vagina - causing severe discomfort and leaving some women unable to walk, work or have sex.

The news comes after a recent review in Scotland said they should not be routinely used for pelvic organ prolapse.

The implants are used to ease incontinence and to support organs such as the vagina, uterus, bowel, bladder or urethra which have prolapsed after childbirth.

The Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency, which regulates the use of such medical products, maintained it was it was ‘committed to help address the serious concerns raised by some patients’.

It added: "The greater proportion of the clinical community and patients support the use of these devices in the UK."

Meanwhile, Ethicon which manufactures the implant said: “These devices have helped millions of women’ and claimed it had acted appropriately and responsibly in the research, development and marketing of its pelvic mesh products.”