Ex-surgeon Dr Simon Gordon referred to tribunal for alleged misconduct, unnecessary operations on women
Hundreds of patients have contacted lawyers about the treatment they received from a former gynaecologist, who is accused of performing unnecessary surgeries.
A former gynaecologist accused of performing unnecessary surgeries has been referred to a tribunal for alleged professional misconduct.
Hundreds of women have contacted lawyers about the treatment they received from former Epworth surgeon Dr Simon Gordon in Melbourne.
The doctor, who retired from practice in 2025, has been accused of carrying out surgeries on patients for “severe” endometriosis when they did not meet that threshold.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.On Monday, the medical regulator confirmed Dr Gordon had been referred to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal following an investigation.
“The Medical Board of Australia has determined the allegations against Dr Simon Gordon require consideration by an independent tribunal,” a spokesperson for the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency told AAP.
“As this matter will now be filed in the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, it is inappropriate for (AHPRA) or the board to make any further comment.”
The board is required to refer matters to tribunals where it believes a practitioner has behaved in a way that constitutes professional misconduct.
The tribunal may find there is no case to answer or that Dr Gordon’s behaviour constituted unsatisfactory professional performance, unprofessional conduct and/or professional misconduct.
It has the power to take no action, or impose regulatory sanctions including permanent cancellations, disqualifications and bans.
Dr Gordon, who worked at the Epworth before retiring from practice and surrendering his medical registration, has denied the allegations against him.
Former Victorian premier Jacinta Allan referred the allegations against Dr Gordon to police in February, after they were aired by ABC’s Four Corners program.
Ms Allan, who has been diagnosed with endometriosis, said at the time women should not be going through unnecessary surgical procedures.
Victoria Police confirmed in February it had received a referral and that it was assessing the information.
A spokesperson for Victoria Police on Monday confirmed there had been no update since.
Law firms including Arnold Thomas and Becker have fielded hundreds of complaints from Dr Gordon’s former patients.
AAP has previously spoken to former patients of Dr Gordon’s including Mary Spanos, 30, who underwent surgery with him in 2022.
She said doctors have since confirmed she suffered complications from her surgery and that medical records show no endometriosis was removed.
The Victorian and federal governments launched a range of supports for endometriosis patients in response to the allegations in April.
Epworth Healthcare announced in March it had appointed an independent expert panel to review its clinical governance arrangements following concerns raised by Dr Gordon’s former patients.
It referred concerns to the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency in October and has been cooperating with relevant authorities since, it said.
