On 23 August 2023, Director-General of Health Dr Diana Sarfati announced she has supported, effective 23 August 2023, a time-limited pause on the use of surgical mesh for stress urinary incontinence in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Read the Ministry of Health’s statement.

The College has advised its members to comply with the Director-General’s recommendations.

Read the College’s media statement.

Resources for surgeons

RANZCOG/ Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) What you need to know as a clinician

RANZCOG/RACS Patient letter template for surgeons (download)

Resources for patients

We understand that the announcement of the pause in the use of surgical mesh will be concerning for some women.

– Women who have a planned mesh stress urinary incontinence procedure should contact their surgeon to discuss options for management.

– A range of treatments are still available and where there are no other appropriate options, there is an exceptions process for the pause to allow surgical mesh.

– If you have had mesh inserted to treat stress urinary incontinence, there is no need to take any action unless you are experiencing complications.

RANZCOG encourages women whose are concerned about symptoms of stress urinary incontinence to continue to seek help.

For more information see New Zealand Ministry of Health.