The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with other health sector agencies, is continuing to progress work on the actions agreed in the report Hearing and Responding to the Stories of Survivors of Surgical Mesh published in December 2019.
Progress since the previous update
Recommendation 8
Specialist multi-disciplinary centre(s) are required – a group will meet in January 2020 to advise the number of specialist centres required to ensure equity of access, the model of care, and team required
Status: In progress
Work to establish the specialist services for surgical mesh complications has now transferred to Te Whatu Ora. A phased approach is being taken with a focus on the ‘front end’ of the service, namely care pathways, multi-disciplinary meetings, and navigation and coordination roles, being established.
A national programme manager has been appointed, and recruitment for patient navigator roles is underway. Consumers are involved in the working group for the specialist services.
Recommendation 9
Establish a credentialing committee by the end of January 2020 to recommend national standards for individual practitioners and services commencing with urogynaecology procedures – minimum standards for insertion, renewal, repair, and removal of surgery and native tissue repair will be included
Status: In progress
The first round of credentialling occurred at the end of November 2022, outcomes will be made available during the first quarter of 2023. The first round focussed on those working at Tier 3, carrying mesh removal and revision procedures.
A review will be undertaken following the first round with a continuous improvement approach in mind, with the learnings to be applied to subsequent rounds in 2023.
Recommendation 10
The Ministry of Health will lead, supported by ACC, interdisciplinary education and build the capability of the required technical skills to prevent future harm and reduce the severity of existing harm. This action intends to also support the provision of removal surgery.
Status: In progress
In the primary care education workstream, all three planned webinars have now been delivered.
The webinars are available for viewing via the Goodfellow Unit. They cover identifying surgical mesh harm and optimising management, the management of urinary incontinence, and the management of pelvic organ prolapse.
Work will commence soon with the Health Quality and Safety Commission to develop a resource for consumers to use when attending their appointments with primary health care professionals.
Manatū Hauora are currently considering options to progress secondary and tertiary education packages.