A prominent Melbourne surgeon, Simon Gordon, is under investigation following revelations that he performed numerous surgeries on women for “severe” endometriosis despite pathology reports showing little or no trace of the disease. A seven-month investigation by Four Corners has uncovered multiple complaints from clinicians and patients, raising serious concerns about the necessity and outcomes of these procedures.
Dr. Gordon, who was a leading laparoscopic surgeon at Epworth Private Hospital, was asked to take leave in October after hospital management learned of the ongoing investigation. Shortly thereafter, he announced his retirement. The allegations have prompted calls for a comprehensive inquiry into his practices and the hospital’s management of complaints against him.
Allegations of Unnecessary Surgeries
Gynaecologists who reviewed patient records and pathology reports have stated that many of Dr. Gordon’s surgeries were unwarranted and, in some cases, detrimental, leaving patients in pain and affecting their fertility. These concerns have been echoed by Federal Health Minister Mark Butler, who described the allegations as “sickening” and has called for a Safer Care Victoria inquiry into Epworth’s handling of the situation.
Medicare is also investigating Dr. Gordon’s billing practices, particularly his frequent use of item number 35641, which is reserved for severe endometriosis cases. Many women who underwent surgery with Dr. Gordon were billed under this item number despite having no or only mild endometriosis according to pathology reports.
Patient Stories and Impact
Several women have come forward with harrowing accounts of their experiences with Dr. Gordon. Mary Spanos underwent laparoscopic surgery in 2020, only to find that her pathology results showed no endometriosis, contradicting Dr. Gordon’s post-surgery claims. She continues to suffer from severe pain, a sentiment echoed by Jess Foster, who described her post-operative pain as life-altering.
“Simon Gordon has destroyed my life,” Jess Foster said, reflecting on her inability to work or exercise due to ongoing pain.
Another patient, Courtney Paton, had multiple surgeries with Dr. Gordon, culminating in the removal of her ovaries and uterus, despite pathology reports showing no significant endometriosis. Her lawyer, Emily Hart, has since been contacted by over 80 former patients with similar stories.
Expert Opinions and Industry Response
Professor Thierry Vancaillie, a veteran in the field of laparoscopic surgery, expressed his dismay after reviewing patient files related to Dr. Gordon’s surgeries. He described the findings as “sickening” and “unbelievable,” highlighting the unnecessary nature of many procedures.
Gynaecologists like Dr. Shamitha Kathurusinghe and Dr. Desiree Yap have raised concerns about Dr. Gordon’s practices, noting a pattern of unnecessary surgeries and deviations from standard medical guidelines. The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists has expressed its distress over the situation, emphasizing that Dr. Gordon’s actions do not align with the college’s values.
Institutional and Regulatory Response
Epworth HealthCare has initiated an external review of its clinical governance in response to the allegations. CEO Andrew Stripp acknowledged the distress caused to patients and has urged AHPRA to improve communication with private hospitals regarding ongoing investigations into medical practitioners.
Despite the gravity of the allegations, Dr. Gordon maintains that he acted ethically throughout his career, aiming to alleviate pain and improve the quality of life for his patients. However, the ongoing investigations by AHPRA and Medicare, alongside the external review commissioned by Epworth, suggest a thorough examination of his practices and the hospital’s oversight is underway.
The unfolding situation highlights the critical importance of robust clinical governance and the need for transparency and accountability in medical practice. The outcomes of these investigations will likely have significant implications for the future of patient care and regulatory practices in the healthcare industry.
