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.
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.
The premier also announced there would be standardised guidelines for how endometriosis is diagnosed.
More to come
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Liam Mannix is The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald’s national science reporter.Connect via X or email.
