OXFORDSHIRE women with experience of pelvic mesh procedures are being urged to attend a national review hearing next week.

A government tour of the UK, led by Conservative peer Baroness Cumberlege, is hearing testimony from women who have experienced complications following implants, and will be in South Oxfordshire next Monday.

Mesh implants are made of polypropylene plastic and used to treat incontinence or prolapse, from pregnancy and childbirth.

Kath Sansom, from national campaign group Sling The Mesh, said: “The pain this procedure can cause is indescribable.

“I’ve been in contact with many women in Oxfordshire who are suffering serious complications from vaginal mesh implants. This procedure was being promoted as a ‘quick fix’ for urinary stress incontinence – but the plastic can twist, shrink, go brittle and degrade inside the body."

In July, NHS England accepted a recommendation to temporarily suspend vaginal mesh implants until March 2019.

The session is being held at The Wallingford Community Association Centre, 70 Kinecroft, Wallingford, on Monday, from 11am to 1pm. Travel expenses can be reimbursed and family members may attend.

A free counselling hotline will be available for the duration of the review on weekdays between 10am and 6pm on 0121 314 7075. Those unable to attend can email their experiences to reviewteam@kcl.ac.uk.