Australian authorities are looking into opening a criminal case against a retired male gynaecologist, who has been accused of performing unnecessary surgeries on female patients.
Doctor Simon Gordon of Melbourne has been referred to Victoria State Police, following a story aired by public broadcaster ABC on Monday, in which multiple women claimed Gordon performed surgeries on them for “severe” endometriosis despite the lack of evidence that they had the disease.
Endometriosis is defined by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as a chronic, often painful disease where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus (endometrium) grows outside the uterus, causing inflammation and scar tissue.
In many cases, patients were in pain for months or years after Gordon’s procedures, which included the removal of reproductive organs, according to ABC.
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The broadcaster said one of the women who came out had her ovaries and uterus removed by the doctor despite her pathology results showing no signs of endometriosis.
Another woman who was operated on by Gordon six years ago said she has been unable to walk for five minutes without pain.
“I have barely any quality of life compared to what I had before,” she was quoted as saying.
Denying the allegations, Gordon told ABC he never performed surgery for endometriosis “unless I was absolutely convinced it was in the patient’s best interests.”
ABC’s report said numerous complaints against the Melbourne gynecologist had been lodged before the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency over the last five years, but no immediate actions were taken.
‘Unnecessary surgery is a crime’
On Tuesday, Victoria Premier Jacinta Allan finally referred the case to state authorities, saying she was “sickened” by the allegations made against the doctor.
“Performing unnecessary surgery is a crime, removing a woman’s organs without a clinical need is a crime and assisting in that conduct is a crime,” Allan said in a statement, as quoted by Agence France-Presse.
Victoria Police confirmed Allan’s referral, stating that an assessment of information is now underway.
In her statement, Allan also demanded explanations from the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency over its lack of response to previous complaints against Gordon.
“They need to explain why and ensure it doesn’t happen again,” she said.
In response, the regulator said it is “actively reviewing our overall methodology in assessing and reviewing these types of cases.”
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