In a statement, a spokesman for the Health Department said that the decision followed a recommendation adopted by the NHS. He said procedures would be suspended until further updated advice was received and he reassured patients that the recent findings only related to vaginal mesh surgery.
Mesh implants are made of polypropylene plastic and are used to treat incontinence or prolapse, often suffered following pregnancy and childbirth weakening pelvic floor tissue.
Last month, NHS England accepted a recommendation to temporarily suspend the use of vaginal mesh implants until March 2019 after concerns were raised about some cases in which the implants had moved, twisted and even degraded inside the body.
However, the suspension did not cover the Channel Islands, promoting campaign group ‘Sling the Mesh’ to warn that it was potentially ‘a significant region affected by this women’s health scandal’.
However, the Health Department confirmed it had now followed the lead of the UK, where an independent review is currently underway.
In a statement it said: ‘The NHS has temporarily suspended all use of mesh in the vagina for pelvic organ prolapse and stress urinary incontinence. Jersey’s Health and Community Services Department has therefore followed this recommendation and stress urinary incontinence procedures using mesh have been suspended until further updated advice is received. Other surgical procedures are available in Jersey and any women suffering from urinary incontinence are encouraged to seek assessment from their GP and referral to the hospital if required. It is important to reassure patients who have had other types of mesh surgery (eg for a hernia) that the recent report and findings only reflect vaginal mesh surgery.’
It added: ‘The department will continue to review recommendations by the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence to ensure the delivery of safe and evidenced-based healthcare services that meet the needs of Islanders.’
Kath Sansom from the Sling the Mesh campaign group said she was aware of women in Jersey suffering complications following the procedure.
‘The pain this procedure can cause is indescribable. I’ve been in contact with women in Jersey who are suffering serious complications from vaginal mesh implants. This procedure is being promoted as a “quick fix” for urinary stress incontinence – but the plastic can twist, move and degrade inside the body.
‘It can attach and slice through organs causing paralysis, chronic pain, sepsis, loss of sex life and even organ failure. Women contact our group feeling suicidal from the pain vaginal mesh implants have caused them. If you, or a loved one, have been experiencing complications following the procedure, then I urge you to share your story with the government’s independent review.’
