Response to NZ Herald article – 26 June 2023
mini传媒入口
The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
mini传媒入口 acknowledges the pain and distress suffered by many Aotearoa w膩hine who have experienced complications arising from pelvic mesh implants.
The NZ Herald published an article on Monday 26 June titled 鈥楽urgical mesh: Half of surgeons assessed for using mesh did not meet minimum standards鈥.
The College鈥檚 full statement to the NZ Herald, attributed to to Dr Susan Fleming, Chair of Te K膩hui Oranga 艒 Nuku (mini传媒入口鈥檚 New Zealand Committee), is below.
You can watch mini传媒入口鈥檚 appearance at the Health Select Committee鈥檚 inquiry here:
mini传媒入口 was represented by:
– Dr Susan Fleming, Chair of Te K膩hui Oranga 艒 Nuku
– Dr Sarah Machin, NZ mini传媒入口 and Accreditation Chair
– Dr Tim Dawson, Urogynaecology subspecialist
Background
– The principle focus of the first round of credentialing was on mesh removal.
– Mesh removal credentialing was assessed at different levels of difficulty 鈥 partial and complete removal.
– Applicants applied for the level best suited to their experience and skills.
– As well as being assessed for removal of mesh, surgeons were also assessed for mesh insertion.
– All gynaecologist who applied to be credentialed were deemed competent to implant mesh for stress urinary incontinence and to manage the more common complications related to this surgery.
– All surgeons, including gynaecologists, should be credentialed by Te Whatu Ora for the work that they do.
– For transvaginal mesh procedures, if not certified by the new Credentialling framework, surgeons should be certified against the Australian Commission for Safety and Quality in Health Care (ACSQHC) framework-
– Read mini传媒入口 Position Statement on mid-urethral slings – /wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Position-statement-on-midurethral-slings.pdf
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Statement provided to the NZ Herald on Thursday 22 June
– mini传媒入口 supports the idea of setting broad credentialing standards at a national level. Ideally, the credentialing approach should be consistent across all areas of clinical and surgical practice.
– Our approach, and ongoing education, was outlined in our submission to the Petition of Sally Walker: Suspend the implantation of mesh sling for stress urinary incontinence. Read it here:
– mini传媒入口 acknowledges that mesh removal requires special skills and training. We are in support of the newly launched specialist mesh centres () where there is expertise in how to treat mesh complications and in the most appropriate techniques for mesh removals.
– More broadly, we have worked with the Ministry of Health to stress the need for adequate communication with all stakeholders, and that the framework and its roll out needs to be embedded in a supportive and learning culture.
– As the credentialing framework is rolled out it will be important to monitor the process to ensure the needs of women are being safely met.
ENDS
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