OXFORD West and Abingdon MP Layla Moran has welcomed new guidance recommending that transvaginal mesh implants are only used 'as a last resort'.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has published draft guidance stating that clinicians should offer non-surgical options for stress urinary incontinence or pelvic organ prolapse before mesh operations.

Ms Moran said she had been contacted by a number of her constituents about 'botched and unnecessary' procedures.

She said: “This guidance is a step forward and should be adopted quickly.

“The only positive I can see from this national scandal is that more women are now aware of the dangers. Too many women in our county have had to bravely come forward with horror stories in order to be taken seriously.”

At least 15 women in Oxfordshire are seeking damages from Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust over mesh-linked procedures, while nationwide thousands of women have reported serious issues issues with the implants.

There are a number of different types of mesh operations, but the Trust insist that transvaginal tape - one of the most common procedures - is 'highly effective'.

Last month the Baroness overseeing a national review into mesh hit out at the ‘terrible harm’ endured by Oxfordshire women, after a hearing in Wallingford.