A statement from NHS Digital on the vaginal mesh report
NHS Digital's statistics are entirely independent from government, as specified by the UK Statistics Authority's Code of Practice for Statistics.
As with all of our statistics, yesterday's mesh report was produced impartially.
The report used data in our Hospital Episode Statistics in order to publish experimental statistics of patients who have had an operation for vaginal prolapse or stress urinary incontinence, relating to the insertion, repair or removal of vaginal mesh, tape or their equivalents.
This report was not an investigation. It was an analysis of existing secondary care patient data, produced to enable the health system to understand the care and outcomes for these patients and consequently to improve patient care.
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
1) Read the report here: Retrospective Review of Surgery for Vaginal Prolapse and Stress Urinary Incontinence using Tape or Mesh, England April 2008 - March 2017
2) Experimental Statistics are official statistics which are published in order to involve users and stakeholders in their development and as a means to build in quality at an early stage. It is important that users understand that limitations may apply to the interpretation of this data, which was made clear in this report.
