Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, When does he expect to receive the outcome of the NIHR appraisal programme for prolapse, incontinence, and mesh complication surgery.

The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), the research delivery arm of the Department, funds and supports a range of research to support women’s health conditions, including pelvic organ prolapse.

In May 2023, the NIHR commissioned a £1.6 million study to develop a validated patient reported outcome measure for prolapse, incontinence, and mesh complication surgery, to better understand the short and long-term health impacts of pelvic mesh surgery. This study has now been extended until January 2028 with findings available shortly after. Further information is available at the following link:

https://fundingawards.nihr.ac.uk/award/NIHR152187

The NIHR continues to welcome funding applications for research into any aspect of human health, including the use of vaginal mesh to treat pelvic organ prolapse. Applications are subject to peer review and judged in open competition, with awards being made on the basis of the importance of the topic to patients and health and care services, value for money, and scientific quality.