Simon Gordon scandal exposes systemic failure at every level

It is alleged that this powerful male doctor irreparably harmed potentially over 1,000 (usually) young women, ruining their lives, and yet the many complaints and concerns against him were dismissed by every level of authority, writes managing editor Michelle Pini.

** CONTENT WARNING: This article discusses suicide and surgical procedures, which may be distressing for some readers **

SELDOM is there a single case of system failure that neatly sums up everything that is wrong with our institutions and the structures that are meant to protect us. The case of former Epworth gynaecologist Simon Gordon is one such case.

Seven months ago, news broke of Gordon’s alleged unnecessary surgical procedures, including the removal of healthy organs, performed at Melbourne’s Epworth Hospital on hundreds of endometriosis patients, in some cases without informed consent.

These women, mostly in their 20s at the time, now live with constant debilitating pain. Many are also now infertile. Many are also dealing with added, horrific complications from these unnecessary procedures. A vast number of these former patients are no longer able to work. All of these people are still waiting for justice.

Gordon has denied the allegations. He also voluntarily resigned his medical registration.

5 things needed NOW — 6 months on from Simon Gordon scandal

Six months on from the Simon Gordon scandal, the systems that allowed his alleged surgical abuse of endometriosis patients continue to fail them.

In response to an ABC investigation, both the Federal and Victorian governments instigated some specific support measures for the alleged victims.

Then-Premier Allan also referred the matter to Victoria Police.

Epworth Hospital – which had dismissed complaints against Gordon until then – set up an internal "independent" inquiry. Seven months on, no information has been released about the outcome of this inquiry.

There has been no federal or state inquiry into the matter, which has had devastating consequences for potentially 1,300 women.

Medical regulator AHPRA – which until the media coverage also did not appear to have acted on the many complaints against Gordon – finally commissioned a panel of independent medical experts to review patient care and thousands of medical records earlier this year. On 31 August, AHPRA referred Gordon to Victoria's civil tribunal, alleging he engaged in professional misconduct.

On top of this, the Victoria Police investigation has now concluded.

Independent Australia sought comment from Victoria Police and received the following brief statement:

‘Victoria Police has completed the assessment of the referral. Based on the information provided, we are unable to take the matter further at this time. Any new information provided to police will be thoroughly assessed.’

None of the former patients in contact with IA, who have all suffered irreparable damage and lifelong irreversible injuries, have given information to the police or are aware of anyone who has done so.

Of course there may have been others who were contacted. And of course police cannot share sensitive information with the public.

However, in a matter concerning such grave allegations including gross negligence, intentional harm and deception for the purposes of profit – allegations so grave that they inspired a referral to police from the Premier – is a public explanation not warranted? Is this not the least these victims deserve?

As former patient and advocate Jess Foster told IA:

I know that a lot of the girls aren't sleeping properly. Like, they get nightmares...a few of them have tried...

A few of them have decided that it's too much so they have tried to ... take their life. And I just every night I go to sleep, I am so afraid that I will wake up the next morning and one of the girls is not going to be there anymore.

As reported by IA, many of Gordon's 1,300 former patients are not only dealing with life-altering physical damage, daily debilitating pain and mental and emotional distress, but many are no longer able to work, cannot access suitable medical care and are now left with crippling medical expenses and debt.

They are also having to navigate a complex litigation process, which carries financial risks, as well as the possibility of victims being subjected to further invasive tests and intense legal examination.

In the wake of the Simon Gordon scandal: Adding insult to injury

A severe public wrong has occurred, causing ongoing, debilitating physical pain and emotional and mental distress in many hundreds of women, and there must be accountability.

*Kylie, a former patient of Gordon, told IA:

I’m here, trying to make sense of a backwards world where my reproductive organs have been cut out completely unnecessarily, trying to trust the system that allowed that, and it’s sort of like the "protectors" didn’t bother listening.

I can’t speak for anyone else, but that’s a sticking point for me throughout this: being heard. The one thing I feel could’ve changed any of this before it was too late was being truly listened to by medical professionals. When I was 14 and first in pain, being told it was normal; 19 and struggling to manage pain "for no reason"; 26 and suddenly having a hysterectomy; or 30 and still in pain, even though my uterus was meant to have been the whole issue.

The police shutting this down has a bigger impact than just the legalities; it hurts the people affected in a way that reaffirms our current fears that it’s okay for someone to do what he has been doing.

The police have reconfirmed my internal fear that this isn't worth listening to or being concerned about. There's nothing actually being done on a level that amounts to anything that will either help us get through this short term, or help the system get better at preventing it long term. It's just another kick while we're down, and we're left to feel insignificant and like we were just left out by the system again.

Former patient *Amanda also spoke with IA:

I’m deeply disappointed and shocked that this has not progressed to criminal charges, although sadly I’m not surprised.

Given the sheer number of women affected and the devastation left in the wake of Simon Gordon’s practice, I want to understand how thorough this investigation actually was and how many former patients were interviewed.

I personally contacted Victoria Police twice trying to find out about the investigation and asking how I could provide information or assist. I was directed to Crime Stoppers.

We routinely see Victoria Police publicly appeal for information and witnesses in investigations involving far fewer potential victims. Why was there no similar public call-out here, when potentially hundreds of women may hold relevant information?

Many women only discovered in February that what happened to them may have involved wrongdoing at all. Many are still waiting for medical experts and lawyers to help them understand what was done to their bodies and whether offences may have occurred. Against that backdrop, it is extraordinary that the investigation has already been closed.

With the Medical Board having referred Simon Gordon to VCAT, this only strengthens the case for a genuinely independent government inquiry.

We need to understand what happened, how it was allowed to happen for so long and make sure it can never happen again.

The allegations against this powerful male doctor – from whom women sought medical help for debilitating pain – are that he irreparably harmed potentially over 1,000 (mostly) young women, ruining their lives, and yet the many complaints and concerns against him were dismissed by every level of authority.

Now they have likewise been dismissed by law enforcement.

As aptly expressed by Victorian Health Minister Mary Anne Thomas:

"The culture of senior and powerful doctors protecting other senior and powerful doctors has to end."

Finally, we reiterate the words of former Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan:

"Women deserve answers. These victims deserve justice."

If you would like to speak to someone about mental health issues, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467.

*If you are a former patient of Simon Gordon and would like to speak to us about your experience, on or off the record, please email editor@independentaustralia.net. All enquiries will be treated in strictest confidence.

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Follow managing editor Michelle Pini on Twitter/X @vmp9 and Bluesky @michellepini.bsky.social, and Independent Australia on Twitter/X at @independentaus, Facebook HERE and Instagram HERE.