Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many women have received full mesh removals since the setting up of the nine specialist removal centres in 2021, in comparison to partial removals.

Surgery for patients experiencing complications associated with vaginal mesh is supported by National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) Patient Decision Aids (PDAs) developed alongside NICE guideline NG123, titled Urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse in women: management.

The PDAs describe a range of management options, including both partial mesh removal and complete mesh removal where clinically appropriate. They recognise that complete mesh removal may not always be technically feasible or clinically appropriate, depending on the type, location, and extent of the mesh, and that some patients may require further surgery following an initial partial removal if symptoms persist.

According to data from the Hospital Episode Statistics, 234 episodes of total removal of vaginal mesh and 185 episodes of partial removal of vaginal mesh were recorded from 2021/22 to 2025/26.

Information on how many mesh removal surgeons are performing mesh removals since the setting up of the nine specialist removal centres in 2021 is not held centrally.

In April 2026, NICE reviewed its guideline NG123 and concluded that there was insufficient new evidence to warrant changes to the relevant recommendations. It is aware of ongoing reviews into the care of mesh-harmed women and will consider any impact on its recommendations once outcomes are published.

The sample audit of the POP/SUI database has been completed and it has been used to inform future commissioning of services.

The specification for complications of mesh inserted for urinary incontinence, vaginal or internal, and external rectal prolapse states that specialised mesh centres must use trust appraisal systems to ensure that surgeons are appropriately trained, current in their practice, that they adhere to clinical and NICE guidance, comply with Pelvic Floor Registry data requirements, and report any complications.