The hard work's paying off for an advocacy group fighting to improve surgical mesh safety

Efforts are being made to establish a strict set of requirements for surgeons to meet before undertaking surgical mesh implants.

It's part of a Restorative Justice Programme commissioned by the Ministry of Health in 2019.

The changes are expected to come into force next year.

Mesh Down Under co-founder Carmel Berry says it will make a huge difference for patients.

She says they'll have confidence knowing the surgeon performing the surgery has met strict criteria - and the follow up will be robust.