Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has said her Government will “standardise the guidelines for how endometriosis is diagnosed” following allegations of surgical misconduct by a gynaecologist.
In an episode broadcast on Monday, ABC’s Four Corners investigated Dr Simon Gordon, a retired gynaecologist, who they allege performed unnecessary endometriosis surgeries.
Here’s what you need to know.
Background
Endometriosis is a medical condition where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows elsewhere in the body.
More than one million Australians have endometriosis, which can cause debilitating pain in the pelvic region, and can be associated with infertility.
A laparoscopy is a surgery performed to help diagnose endometriosis.
Surgeons make a small cut in the abdomen, then insert a laparoscope (a light and camera) to see inside the body.
Allegations
Four Corners investigated Dr Simon Gordon, a former gynaecologist at Melbourne’s Epworth Private Hospital.
The program found that Dr Gordon removed tissue and organs from several young women’s bodies, saying they had “severe” endometriosis.
Testing showed they had little or no trace of the disease.
The ABC found clinicians and patients filed complaints about Dr Gordon to Epworth, the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra), and to Victoria’s Health Complaints Commission.
Despite the complaints, Dr Gordon continued practising until Epworth asked him to go on leave in October 2025, upon learning about the ABC investigation.
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He retired one week later.
Dr Gordon’s patient Courtney Paton told Four Corners he had performed seven surgerieson her for “severe” endometriosis, including the removal of both of her ovaries and uterus.
Pathology records later shared with Paton showed “a clinically insignificant amount of possible endometriosis,”according to another gynaecologist.
The details aired in the Four Corners episode have not been tested in court.
Dr Gordon told the ABC: “For generations, the pain suffered by women was ignored, downplayed and untreated. My concern was to try and alleviate pain and restore quality of life for female patients”.
Response
In a statement on Tuesday, Allan said she was “sickened” by the allegations.
Allan has previously spoken about her experience with endometriosis, and in her statement shared that she has undergone laparoscopic surgery.
The Premier said she had “referred these allegations to Victoria Police,” adding that “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.”
Epworth said it could not comment while “investigations are underway”.
Allan announced additional training for doctors treating endometriosis in the state, along with new diagnosis guidelines, such as using ultrasounds instead of laparoscopies.
“An invasive laparoscopy is often the first diagnostic tool, despite growing evidence that it is not always necessary,” Allan said.
Victoria’s Shadow Health Minister Georgie Crozier called the allegations “deeply disturbing,” adding that “any failure to properly investigate complaints is unacceptable.“
