This is a scandal you need to be following – it affects us all

By Charlotte Lomas, news correspondent

Little did I know a story I first began covering four years ago would become a health scandal which experts have described as "bigger than Thalidomide".

The use of vaginal mesh has gone on to be discussed in parliament by then prime minister Theresa May as she ordered a review into its safety.

For those of you reading this and thinking this story is all about vaginas, you are deeply mistaken. Yes, this is a disaster that primarily impacts women, mainly those who have suffered common complications after childbirth, such as urinary incontinence or prolapse.

But it affects us all and we should be following developments closely.

'When you know the truth, it's almost more traumatising'

At the heart of this story lies accusations of poor regulation, lack of clinical trials, corruption, cover-ups and conflicts of interest; allegations that there is no long-term data to properly assess a surgery carried out on more than 100,000 women in England since 2008; insufficient data, despite the procedure being offered to women since the late 1990s.

Then there's the legal action taking place across the world. More than 100,000 people are suing in America alone.

:: Vaginal mesh 'disaster' could be 'worse than Thalidomide', experts warn

More from Vaginal Mesh

Earlier this year, the US regulator, the FDA, halted the sale and distribution of all mesh used to treat pelvic organ prolapse citing safety concerns.

A period of high vigilance restriction regarding vaginal mesh is currently in place in England until certain criteria is met and the independent review led by Baroness Cumberlege makes its conclusions.

Yet the latest guidance from the UK health watchdog, NICE, is that mesh will be offered as one option to women once the suspension is lifted.

The guidance does, however, say surgery should only be provided once alternatives have failed and after women have been counselled properly about the risks and possible complications. This is advice that was claimed to have been missing previously.