A restorative justice innovation: Responding to harm from surgical mesh in New Zealand (December 2019)

Summary

This report summarises the themes that emerged from a restorative process to hear from New Zealand men and women affected by surgical mesh.

Restorative justice approaches and practices were used to respond to harm from surgical mesh. This innovation differs to medicolegal action and inquiry approaches in other countries. A restorative approach intended to create a safe space to explore multiple experiences and perspectives of harm.

Content

This report, Hearing and Responding to the Stories of Survivors of Surgical Mesh, describes how restorative justice approaches were used to uncover the harms and needs created by surgical mesh use in New Zealand. The actions that consumers and healthcare stakeholders indicated would restore well-being, trust and safe healthcare in New Zealand are included.

Skilled facilitators used restorative practices to create a safe space for consumers and health professionals to tell their stories. The same approach supported collaboration between multiple agencies so they could act for repair and prevention.

The team that co-created the project includes academics, consumers, facilitators and New Zealand's Chief Clinical Officers.

Formal research will evaluate the project next year and consider findings in the context of resilient healthcare systems