THE Government’s decision to immediately suspend the use of surgical mesh when treating incontinence has been welcomed by local campaigners.

The decision was made by Baroness Cumberlege following her review into the contentious procedure which campaigners say can go badly wrong and cause unending, excruciating pain.

The plastic polypropylene implants, sometimes called “sling implants”, are given to women to support organs in the pelvis. The surgery usually takes less than an hour.

Jackie Cheetham, 50, from Allerston, near Pickering, has been campaigning for a permanent ban on the use of the mesh after her own surgery led to 12 years of agonising pain.

She said she was in tears when she heard the news about the suspension.

“I am delighted that Baroness Cumberledge has acted after receiving lots of emails and hearing women’s stories personally,” she said. “This news has come exactly 12 years since my second implant that destroyed my life.

“I’m delighted no other woman will have to suffer from this incontinence mesh operation, although it might frustrate some to have theirs cancelled. However in the long term I hope that they come to appreciate that it may have saved them from a much worse outcome.

“Rectopexy and prolapse mesh through the stomach has not yet been suspended but I am hoping it soon will be as all mesh can cause mass life-changing damage. All mesh is plastic polypropylene; inert and can slice through organs.

“We also now hope this suspension will lead to a permanent ban on all mesh operations in the UK.

“I would like to thank Kevin Hollinrake for helping to highlight the dangers of mesh and for speaking on my behalf in parliament.”

Mr Hollinrake, MP for Thirsk and Malton, said: “The announcement can’t come soon enough for many women in my constituency and elsewhere who have been injured and suffered agonising pain because of mesh surgery.

“They have shown great bravery and dignity in speaking out and I am delighted that the message has been heard.”

Baroness Cumberlege said: “We strongly believe that mesh must not be used to treat women with stress urinary incontinence until we can manage the risk of complications much more effectively.

“We have not seen evidence on the benefits of mesh that outweighs the severity of human suffering caused by mesh complications.

“At this stage in our review we are not recommending a ban, but a halt to procedures.”