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Surgical mesh pause: Long overdue but validating, injured patient says

Published

3 years ago

August 23, 2023

A woman who was told “a bit of ribbon” would be inserted in her says she never knew it was mesh – or the long term implications it would have on her.

The Ministry of Health’s call for a pause the use of surgical mesh to treat stress urinary incontinence was “long overdue”, Mesh Down Under founder Carmel Berry said, but also validating that the concerns of many injured patients was being taken seriously.

The use of mesh has been controversial after hundreds of women suffered irreversible complications that left them with severe or chronic pain.

Director-General of Health Dr Diana Sarfati said the Surgical Mesh Roundtable had been investigating a pause since earlier this year.

She called for a temporary halt to mesh use, effective from Wednesday, to allow steps to be put in place to reduce the harms linked to the procedure.

Steps include implementing a registry to monitor patients post surgery, a detailed, informed consent process, that ensures that women have a good understanding of all the different options available to them, the establishment of multidisciplinary teams to help establish the best treatment options and a credentialing process, to ensure the surgeons performing the procedure are able to do so safely.

Berry told Morning Report the pause was something that her advocacy group had been asking for for a long time.

“[It’s] taken a long time for everyone to see what we are trying to say” – Carmel Berry
“It is also quite exciting and validating that the director-general has seen the evidence that was collated and made this call, so it’s good.”

It was hard to know what had taken so long, she said. The United Kingdom had banned vaginal mesh surgery in 2018 and Berry thought it would be the “catalyst” for New Zealand to follow suit – but that did not happen.

“[It’s] taken a long time for everyone to see what we are trying to say.”

Berry said she was not informed “at all” about the potential risks involved when she had her surgery.

“‘We’re just going to pop a bit of ribbon inside you’, I think are the words I was told.

“I didn’t know it was mesh, I didn’t know the risks, I didn’t know the lifelong, life changing situation or complications – it was just ‘this is what we do’. That’s what happened to me.”

Berry said the pause was a good start – and it would take time for evidence to be collated and for the Surgical Mesh Roundtable group to put the necessary steps in place that it may never come back.

She acknowledged the surgery did work for some women – but there was no real knowledge of the long-term impacts.

Some women in her group of more than 1000 had said the surgery was fine for them for up to 20 years – but as they got older, complications began that could be related to the mesh.

SurgeryThe Ministry of Health said the temporary ban would not be lifted until the measures were introduced to reduce the harms associated with the insertion of mesh – expected to occur within 12 months Photo: 123RF
Pause could be up to one year
Manatū Hauora’s chief medical officer Dr Joe Bourne told Morning Report the steps being put in place to ensure medical professionals were confident the mesh surgery could start up again would be done over the next 12 months.

Bourne said the ministry was working closely to identify the number of women currently waiting for the surgery – believed to be around 90.

“But there are a range of factors that need to be in place that will provide us with assurance that it is safe to lift the pause” – Joe Bourne
He appreciated there could be people unsettled with the news of the pause – and said it was working to make sure they all got an appointment with their medical team to discuss their options moving forward.

“But there are a range of factors that need to be in place that will provide us with assurance that it is safe to lift the pause.”

Bourne said the ministry acknowledged there was complications that could occur with using the mesh and he appreciated the input from people who had been injured by it in the past.

It was important to hear of the harm caused to some women by the procedure so the ministry could do all things possible to eliminate preventable harm, he said.

“Technically, it’s a complex procedure to undertake. We believe that there is no inherent problem with the mesh itself, but it is really important that the right patients select it so they really understand what is the best option is for them which may or may not be surgery at all.

“And then it’s a case of the technical expertise being right to insert the mesh, and then the appropriate follow-up afterwards. So there are a number of factors that are all equally important.”

Bourne said the ministry was also reaching out to anyone who had had the surgery recently in case of concern.

He said they should be reassured that they would have a “far better” understanding of potential complications – but should reach out to their medical team if they needed further information.

“For the women waiting, stress urinary incontinence is incredibly disabling for many people, and there are other options available.”

But for the future, Bourne said: “We are confident that the processes we are going to put in place will enable us” to prevent many more injuries once the pause is lifted.

Stress urinary incontinence ‘a wicked problem’
The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists was standing behind the decision – but hoped the pause will be lifted as soon as possible.

It has advised its members to comply while procedures for training and credentialing are improved.

College spokesperson Dr Sue Fleming told Morning Report the “pain and suffering” of those who have experienced complications with the use of surgical mesh needed to be acknowledged.

“The pause provides an opportunity to really strengthen our focus on the quality systems we that know will improve outcomes.”

Fleming said the UK ban in 2018 – which is ongoing – was certainly not wanted in New Zealand.

“We need to remember that stress urinary incontinence is a wicked problem and there’s not yet a single perfect solution to treatment.”

The profession, as a whole, believed surgical mesh had an important place in treatment and this pause would help strenghten that, she said.

VIA RNZ

Latest News

Police say person who fired gun at officers still at large

Published

3 days ago

November 12, 2026

News Staff

Police say a person who fired a gun at officers in Napier is still at large.

Eastern District Commander Superintendent Joel Lamb said Police tried to stop a vehicle in the Pirimai Area at about 10pm on Tuesday.

He said someone in the back seat pointed what was presumed to be a firearm at officers pursuing the vehicle.

“Staff have then heard two distinct gunshots as the firearm was discharged.

“Fortunately, neither of our officers were injured, and the patrol vehicle did not sustain any damage.”

He said hours later, the vehicle was seen travelling north on the Waikato Expressway towards Auckland.

Police seized the vehicle at an address in Manurewa, but they had not found the alleged offender.

Lamb said people who lived at the Manurewa address were engaging with Police.

He said Eastern District and Counties Manukau Police were making enquiries.

“Presenting a firearm at a Police officer is a serious escalation that puts our staff and the wider community at risk. This behaviour is entirely unacceptable.

“We are taking this incident extremely seriously and will be pursuing all lines of enquiry to locate the offender and hold them accountable.”

Police asked anyone who witnessed the incident to contact Police on 105 or online using the reference number 261111/3764.

Information could also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

rnz

Latest News

New Zealand sides named for RLWC finals

Published

4 days ago

November 11, 2026

News Staff

The players tasked with ending Australia’s Rugby League World Cup dominance have been named.

The Kiwis and Kiwi Ferns have announced their squads for this Sunday’s World Cup finals in Brisbane.

Both sides are chasing their first titles since 2008, and both are looking to end their opponents run of three crowns in a row.

“Our Kiwi Ferns have been so dominant in years gone by, and we want to bring dominance back to this jersey, so I think it will be a case of who wants it more,” said co-captain Georgia Hale of the impending clash.

The Kiwis get a major boost for the final as they welcome back Ronaldo Mulitalo after he served a one-match ban for a high tackle against Fiji Bati.

Mulitalo replaces Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, who moves to the six-man bench, which again includes utility Te Maire Martin, middle forwards Naufahu Whyte, Erin Clark and Xavier Willison plus fullback Keano Kini.

Loose forward Joseph Tapine will make his 30th Test appearance in a familiar pack again, including second-rowers Isaiah Papali’i and Briton Nikora, and props James Fisher-Harris and Moses Leota.

Winger Jamayne Isaako is on the cusp of claiming the New Zealand record for most Test points.

His five goals against Tonga lifted his career points tally to 225 – level with Shaun Johnson – while centre Casey McLean goes into the final with 16 tries in just eight Tests.

Fisher-Harris will again captain the team.

Fullback Ponga said the goal of the group was clear.

“We have high expectations around what we want to achieve, and obviously winning a world Cup is one of them.”

Meanwhile, Ricky Henry has selected a settled side to take on the Jillaroos, led by their lethal centre combination of Stacey Waaka and Mele Hufanga.

Veteran Apii Nicholls takes the number one jersey, Leianne Tufuga and Mackenzie Wiki on the wings.

Henry has stuck with his halves pairing of Chantay Kiria-Ratu and Raecene McGregor with Alexis Tauaneai, Georgia Hale and Otesa Pule up front.

Rounding out the starting pack is Shaniece Monschau, Kaiyah Atai, and Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa.

“We have been building well throughout the tournament; we understand the Jillaroos side, and will give it our all to make New Zealand proud this weekend,” said Henry.

RLWC Finals:

Kiwi Ferns vs Jillaroos- 6.10pm

Kiwis vs Kangaroos – 9.35pm

Sunday November 15

Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Live blog updates on RNZ

Kiwi Ferns:

1. Apii Nicholls 2. Leianne Tufuga 3. Mele Hufanga 4. Stacey Waaka 5. Mackenzie Wiki 6. Chantay Kiria-Ratu 7. Raecene McGregor 8. Alexis Tauaneai 9. Georgia Hale 10. Otesa Pule 11. Shaniece Monschau 12. Kaiyah Atai 13. Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa.

Interchange: 14. Ashleigh Quinlan 15. Annessa Biddle 16. Shannon Mato 17. Ivana Lauitiiti.

Reserves: 18. Brooke Anderson 19. Zahara Temara 20. Brianna Clark 21. Abigail Roache 22. Tenika Willison.

Kiwis:

1. Kalyn Ponga, 2. Jamayne Isaako, 3. Dane Gagai, 4. Casey McLean, 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo, 6. Kodi Nikorima, 7. Jahrome Hughes, 8. James Fisher-Harris (c), 9. Jeremy Marshall-King, 10. Moses Leota, 11. Isaiah Papali’i, 12. Briton Nikora, 13. Joseph Tapine (v/c).

Interchange: 14. Te Maire Martin, 15. Naufahu Whyte, 16. Erin Clark, 17. Xavier Willison.

Reserves: 18. Keano Kini, 19. Phoenix Crossland, 20. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 21. Scott Sorensen, 22. Leo Thompson.

rnz

Latest News

Parliamentary Service working on extra chairs and offices for increased number of MPs

Published

4 days ago

November 11, 2026

News Staff

The chief executive of the Parliamentary Service is confident there will be enough room to accommodate the increased number of MPs and their staff coming into Parliament.

On current numbers, up to 131 MPs could be sitting in the Chamber following the election, brought on by a record overhang result.

Clerk of the House of Representatives Dr David Wilson told the Spinoff that currently the debating chamber had enough chairs to seat 124 MPs – including the Speaker of the House – and work was being done to accommodate more by altering the seating arrangement.

In a statement, Parliamentary Service chief executive Rafael Gonzalez-Montero said planning for a larger Parliament had been going for “some time”.

“Now that the election results have confirmed an increase to the number of members we are looking at several options.

“We are confident we will be able to accommodate all members within the Chamber.”

Chief Executive of the Parliamentary Service Rafael Gonzalez-Montero appears before select committee. — Parliamentary Service chief executive Rafael Gonzalez-Montero.

VNP / Phil Smith

Gonzalez-Montero said office accommodation for members and their staff would be “stretched” for a short time, but the new Members’ Building was only a few months away from “practical completion”.

That building – located behind Parliament – was due to be ready to occupy in April next year and had capacity to accommodate around 30 backbench MPs.

“All members should be in fit-for-purpose accommodation from that point,” Gonzalez-Montero said.

Following the 2023 election, 123 MPs sat in the Chamber – a record number at the time. That decreased to 122 following the resignation of National MP Judith Collins.

Collins held the seat of Papakura and stepped down in May and Parliament voted against holding a by-election because it was too close to the election.

The election result also meant high-ranking National Party MPs like Chris Bishop, Paul Goldsmith, Nicola Willis and Gerry Brownlee – Speaker of the House and an MP for 30 years – would likely not make it back into Parliament.

Only resigning or retiring MPs were permitted to give a valedictory speech meaning none of them would get the chance to give a valedictory statement.

Asked if their would be special allowances for valedictories, Wilson said in a statement that normally only MPs were allowed to speak in the House but the House could suspend its own rules or temporarily alter them.

“It could do so to allow former members to address the House.”

Wilson said no such arrangements could be made until the next Parliament opened and members sworn in.

rnz