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Vaginal mesh: Welsh use decision after watchdog advice

BBC Reporter holding up a surgical meshBBC
The mesh is made of polypropylene - the same material used to make certain drinks bottles

A decision on whether to continue using vaginal mesh and tape for operations in Wales will be made once watchdog recommendations are published.

The BBC learned on Monday health watchdog NICE is to recommend a ban on the use of mesh operations for treating organ prolapse in England.

Pontypridd MP Owen Smith, chair of the all-party parliamentary group on mesh, has called for Wales to suspend usage.

A Welsh Government task and finish group started meeting last month.

It is reviewing use of the mesh.

Mesh implants, which include different types of plastic tape and slings, are used to ease incontinence and to support organs such as the vagina, uterus, bowel, bladder or urethra which have prolapsed after childbirth.

A Welsh Government spokeswoman said: "We are currently reviewing the use of vaginal mesh and tape and will await the NICE recommendations."