Dr David Gleaves, Director of MidTECH, spoke at the launch of the Femmax product, a new NHS medical innovation from the West Midlands.

The new device is being launched to help women lead a normal sex life after radiotherapy or gynaecological surgery.

Dr Gleaves attended the launch event with Dr. Maire Smith, Director of I.P. at the Department of Health and spoke very highly of this innovation:

"The Femmax product will make a real difference to patients by improving their quality of life. This launch is another example of the good work that goes on within the Wolverhampton Trust both in its healthcare delivery and its dedication to supporting staff innovation."

The Femmax dilator is the brainchild of Joan Thomas, a Macmillan specialist nurse who developed the idea after working with cancer patients at the Deansley Centre, at NewCross Hospital, Wolverhampton.

Mrs Thomas, who has been at the centre for 18 years, said:

"This device has been my baby since I first started work on developing it in 1992."

"The loss of femininity, sexual desire and body image that women can suffer after radiotherapy or gynaecological surgery is very real and, even for those who are not sexually active, they can find medical examinations uncomfortable.

"Our product can, used in accordance with our guidance, help them to overcome this."

The device was developed when Mrs Thomas, a 44-year-old grandmother and mother-of-two, found many female patients were struggling to have normal relationships with their partners due to scar tissue.

Dilation helps to break down painful internal adhesions and discomfort.

The product is lower cost, easier and more comfortable to use than others currently on the market.

It was developed with the help of patients at New Cross and the Royal Wolverhampton Hospitals NHS Trust's Centre for Healthcare Innovation and Development, which creates new products for the NHS from staff ideas.

Martin Levermore, Chief Executive of Medical Devices Technology International Ltd (MDTi), which markets the product, said:

"Dilation for women used to be a taboo subject but it is a very real problem for those who develop adhesions following gynaecological treatment.

"Our product is something that women are crying out for. Around 450 women a year at New Cross Hospital could benefit from Femmax.

"The figure around the UK is about 234,000 and worldwide we believe it could be as high as 24 million."

The device, which will be available for direct purchase and will be purchased by the NHS, was unveiled at the Department of Health in London.