Expression of Interests for the National Credentialing Framework Review Learning Working Group

Overview

Call for expressions of interest to co-create a review of the National Credentialling Framework: Pelvic floor reconstructive, urogynaecological and mesh revision and removal procedures

Deadline for submissions: 10:00am, Tuesday 27 January 2025

The Ministry of Health | Manatū Haura (the Ministry) is now accepting expressions of interest for people wanting to be a part of a Learning Working Group to co-create a review of the National Credentialling Framework for pelvic floor reconstructive, urogynaecological and mesh revision and removal procedures (link to more information about the document here: https://www.health.govt.nz/publications/national-credentialling-framework-pelvic-floor-reconstructive-urogynaecological-and-mesh-revision).

This framework was published by the Ministry in May 2022, with an update in November 2023, as one of the actions of the 2019 restorative justice process (https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/restorative-justice/research-evaluation/surgical-mesh) to improve safety and prevent future harm. This framework establishes minimum criteria and quality standards for clinical professionals who want to perform pelvic floor reconstructive, urogynaecological and mesh revision and removal procedures. The framework is currently administered by Health New Zealand.

We are looking for three consumer and two clinical representatives to join this group to co-design and undertake the review.

This online form will give you information to help you consider whether you want to submit your interest. If you do, it also provides a brief survey to collect the details we need to ensure we have a diverse range of perspectives, expertise and lived experience.

About you

We are seeking clinical and consumer representatives who bring clinical experience, lived experience, and a commitment to working together in a collaborative, inclusive and culturally responsive way. Clinical representatives will have relevant professional affiliations or active roles in health care, for example, expertise in pelvic floor, urogynaecological, or mesh revision and removal procedures. Consumer representatives may bring direct personal experience of surgical mesh procedures and their impacts, or established connections to the wider consumer community through advocacy and knowledge of pelvic and women’s health.

About the role

The Learning Working Group will include three consumer representatives, two clinical professionals, someone involved Te Whatu Ora | Health New Zealand credentialling process and someone from Te Tāhū Hauora | Health Quality Safety Commission as a quality expert. It will also include the two Ministry leads for the review.  

Together with the members of this group, you will:

• design the review plan
• developing evidence collection tools
• make sense of evidence gathered
• shape the review findings and recommendations.  

The Ministry will support the Learning Working Group with meeting administration, project management, evidence collection and analysis, and writing. This collaborative approach will enable the National Credentialling Framework to be considered from multiple angles, strengthening the quality of the review.

The Learning Working Group will have the autonomy to define their Terms of Reference at their first hui. 

Time commitment

Your participation in the Learning Working Group will involve attendance to approximately eight meetings as well as time spent developing and reviewing documents. We estimate this will add up to approximately 70 hours (or 9 days) spread over late January to the end of June 2026, which will involve online meetings, out-of-meeting review time, and, we are hoping, to have at least one in-person session. As a part of the Learning Working Group, you will be asked to place a high priority on participation in the review process and to make a good faith and best effort to attend all meetings and undertake review and feedback work.

Available support

Orientation and background information will be provided to support your participation. There are also opportunities for ongoing support across the duration of the review. We will also be taking time to reflect, learn from and improve the Learning Working Group processes as they unfold to ensure they are inclusive and productive for everyone.

Reimbursement

Consumer representatives will be reimbursed for their time. It is expected that other representatives will be participating during work hours and therefore are supported by their organisations to participate in this Learning Working Group.

How to apply

Please complete this online form by 10am Tuesday, 27 January 2026. If the form is not accessible or you prefer another format (such as a word document or video application), please email Jade.Cincotta@health.govt.nz.

We will review all applications and email everyone who applied with the outcome no later than 5pm on Monday 2 February 2026. If you are successful, this email will include the first meeting date, with approximately two weeks provided to allow for scheduling.

Other ways to take part in the review

If you are interested in the review, but do not have the time to commit to the Learning Working Group, please indicate your interest by emailing Jade.Cincotta@health.govt.nz. We can find other ways for you to be included in the consultation process for the review as well as receiving regular progress updates.