A GOVERNMENT tour of the UK to speak to women experiencing complications from pelvic mesh implants will come to Leeds tomorrow, September 12 - and patients in Yorkshire are being urged to attend with their families.

Baroness Cumberlege is leading the review, and is talking to women whose lives have been changed following a so-called 'sling implant' operation.

The potential dangers of the operation have been the focus of campaigns by Ryedale mum-of-four Jackie Cheetham and MP Kevin Hollinrake, among others.

The Independent Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Review hearing for pelvic mesh implants is being held in Leeds at the Novotel Leeds Centre on Wednesday September 12 between 10:30am and 12:30pm.

Travel expenses can be reimbursed as part of the review, which family members and loved ones may also attend.

Participants will need to submit all travel receipts, with economy or standard class used on public transport whenever possible.

Those unable to attend can email their experiences to reviewteam@kcl.ac.uk.

Mesh implants are made of polypropylene plastic. They were used to treat incontinence or prolapse, often suffered from pregnancy and childbirth weakening pelvic floor tissue.

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

Kath Sansom, of the Sling the Mesh campaign group, said: "The pain this procedure can cause is indescribable.

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

“If you, or a loved one, has been experiencing complications following the procedure then I urge you to share your story with Baroness Cumberledge and the Government’s independent review.”

If you are suffering complications, access to a support network is available through the ‘Sling the Mesh’ Facebook Group.

A free counseling hotline will be available for the duration of the review on weekdays between 10am and 6pm on 0121 314 7075.