Debates between Jeff Smith and Emma Hardy during the 2017-2019 Parliament

Thu 19th Apr 2018

Surgical Mesh

Debate between Jeff Smith and Emma Hardy
Thursday 19th April 2018

(6 years, 8 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Emma Hardy Portrait Emma Hardy
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The hon. Gentleman is absolutely right. After we have moved on from looking at vaginal mesh, we need to look at rectopexy mesh and mesh that has been used in men as well. I completely agree.

Jeff Smith Portrait Jeff Smith (Manchester, Withington) (Lab)
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I congratulate my hon. Friend on her work. The NHS audit recently looked at the women who had suffered as a result. Does she agree that it would have been helpful to look at the number of men who have been affected, so that we get a picture of the true severity?

Emma Hardy Portrait Emma Hardy
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Yes, my hon. Friend is right. The all-party group should push for that after we have looked at the issue.

For those who are more statistically minded, NHS Digital undertook the recent audit, which was published on Tuesday. The facts are these: more than 100,000 women had vaginal mesh inserted between 2008 and 2017 to treat stress urinary incontinence, which is common after childbirth.