MP calls for inquiry into mesh ‘scandal’

DOCTORS ARE “voting with their feet” about the use of vaginal mesh, Ministers have been told, amid claims it is the “biggest medical scandal” since thalidomide.

Labour’s Emma Hardy led calls to suspend the use of surgical mesh following reports that many patients have suffered complications after being fitted with the medical products.

As campaigners from the group Sling the Mesh looked on from the public gallery yesterday, Ms Hardy urged the Government to consider launching a full public inquiry into its use.

The Hull West and Hessle MP said: “Out of all the people having the mesh insertion procedure the number of subsequent outpatient appointments per 100 for gynaecology is 79, and for rehabilitation, physiotherapy and occupational therapy its 43.

“And during the last nine years the figures show the number of women having the procedure has fallen by 48 per cent, which to me says an awful lot about what the doctors are thinking about this.”

Labour’s Rupa Huq (Ealing Central and Acton) intervened, asking: “Would (Ms Hardy) not agree with me that this is really the biggest medical scandal since thalidomide?”

Ms Hardy said she “completely” agreed that it was “an absolute scandal”, and said the data showed the number of operations using mesh had “halved over the last decade”. “This shows that doctors and patients are voting with their feet about mesh.”