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
Since the November 2023 update there has been significant progress across the 19 actions.
This has been achieved through close collaboration across the health sector and consumer groups, led by the Surgical Mesh Roundtable.
17 of the 19 recommendations are considered ‘completed’; this means that established systems and processes are in place to ensure that the action is embedded as part of normal practice. A good example is recommendation 9 regarding credentialling.
The two actions that are still in progress are:
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
Part of this action has been completed through the credentialling process which ensures that only surgeons with the required technical skills are able to undertake mesh procedures once the pause is lifted.
This recommendation also reflected the need for mesh removal surgery. The establishment of the Female Pelvic Mesh Service (NZFPMS) by Health New Zealand completes that part of the action.
The work in progress to complete this recommendation is being led by the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons and the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists who are developing supported return to work processes including peer proctoring and education packages.
Recommendation 19
The Ministry of Health will identify the actions and supports required to meet the need for a collaborative approach to safety systems and culture.
Status: In progress
This action is being led by the Health Quality and Safety Commission who are developing the Aotearoa New Zealand system safety strategy.
This recommendation will be considered completed on the publication of this strategy.
