Calls to suspend use of surgical mesh

Petition of Sally Walker: Suspend the implantation of mesh sling for stress urinary incontinence

Update: May 2023

Written and oral submissions on Sally's petition have been presented to the Health Select Committee and we are now waiting for the HSC to report to Parliament and/or make recommendations. To find out more and to read the submissions click on the links below:
  • Sally was seriously injured by a surgical mesh procedure for urinary incontinence and prolapse. But her surgeon didn't tell her about the risks or the alternatives. Since the mesh operation she has had multiple operations, has had to have her bladder removed and lives with chronic pain and disability. You can read her story in the New Zealand Herald.
  • Sally doesn't want this to happen to any other women, but because mesh is still being used in this way in New Zealand other women are at risk of having their health and their lives destroyed, leaving them with severe pain and disability. In 2022, Sally started a petition to the New Zealand Parliament, asking them to suspend the implantation of mesh sling for stress urinary incontinence. Sally says: "I believe this would stop serious ongoing harm. In my view, surgeons implant mesh incorrectly, cause further harm removing it, and cause injury with non-mesh procedures. NZ surgeons were assessed against credentialing guidelines in 2018. I believe that most did not meet the criteria but continued to operate. The UK paused the use of surgical mesh for SUI and I believe we should follow their example. I believe that although treatment access may be an issue the benefit does not outweigh the risk."

  • On Friday the 24th of March, Sally Walker received the Urological Society of Australia and New Zealand (USANZ) 2023 New Zealand Urology Contribution Award in recognition of her advocacy for and support of women injured by surgical mesh.