Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan says accusations a gynaecologist performed unnecessary surgery on women over a number of years have been referred to police and the state’s healthcare watchdog.
Safer Care Victoria will now sit on the review panel into the Epworth hospital’s governance over the allegations against Dr Simon Gordon, the state government said on Tuesday.
This masthead this month revealed Gordon was under investigation by the national medical regulator over allegations he performed unnecessary endometriosis surgeries on women, including removing their ovaries and uterus, despite no clinical evidence justifying the procedures.
Gordon, who retired from the Epworth late last year and surrendered his medical registration last month, denies the allegations.
Allan, who has been diagnosed with endometriosis herself and struggled to access treatment, described the allegations of unnecessary surgeries as heartbreaking.
“To have their lives ruined by these procedures is just simply devastating,” she said.
“Women deserve answers. These victims deserve justice.”
The Epworth has launched an independent inquiry into the allegations and law firms are considering a class action after being approached by more than 120 women.
Allan and Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas on Tuesday said they had asked Safer Care Victoria to sit on the review panel that would look into the Epworth’s governance “to ensure it is rigorous, transparent and focused on patient safety at the Epworth”.
Allan confirmed the government had referred the allegations against Gordon to Victoria Police.
“Performing unnecessary surgeries is a crime,” she said.
“That is why it needs to be investigated by Victoria Police. Removing a woman’s organs without an identified clinical need is a crime.”
The premier also announced there would be standardised guidelines for how endometriosis is diagnosed. Safer Care Victoria will develop these.
She said invasive laparoscopic surgery was often the first tool used to diagnose endometriosis, when a less invasive ultrasound was often a better alternative.
“That less invasive approach of performing an ultrasound on a woman should be that first step for diagnosing endometriosis.”
More to come
Get alerts on breaking news as it happens. Sign up for our Breaking News Alert.
Liam Mannix is The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald’s national science reporter.Connect via X or email.
Henrietta Cook is a senior reporter covering health for The Age. Henrietta joined The Age in 2012 and has previously covered state politics, education and consumer affairs.Connect via X, Facebook or email.
