Allegations of inappropriate endometriosis treatment aired in mainstream media have now been referred to Victoria Police.
The health practitioner regulator is reviewing the way it assesses and manages notifications, following allegations that it failed to act on multiple complaints about a prominent gynaecologist.
Dr Simon Gordon, who retired in November 2025, has been identified by multiple mastheads – including Nine Newspapers and the ABC – as the laparoscopic surgeon at the centre of the story.
Monday night’s episode of Four Corners detailed the alleged experiences of several women who were treated by Dr Gordon.
Most of the women interviewed for the story were treated under MBS item 35641, which covers laparoscopic resection of severe endometriosis.
Item 35641 is worth $1087.30.
This is significantly higher value than other items covering less severe endometriosis laparoscopic procedures.
Item 35637, for instance, covers the operative laparoscopy and excision or ablation of minimal endometriosis, the division of pathological adhesions and the sterilisation by application of clips or removal of tubes. It is worth $355.75.
Medicare data shows that the item for laparoscopic resection of severe endometriosis was claimed just 5202 times in the 2024-25 financial year, making it a relatively uncommon item.
For context, the total number of claims for 35641 was less than 0.01% of the number of GP level B consults claimed over that same time period.
But just because it is a far less common MBS item does not mean that 35641 came cheap; claiming it just once costs the MBS about the same amount as claiming a GP Level B item 24 times.
In total, the MBS processed $5,439,664 worth of claims for item 35641 in the 2024-25 financial year.
According to the ABC, multiple patients treated by Dr Gordon under item 35641 had pathology which showed either mild or no endometriosis.
TMR contacted Dr Gordon for comment but did not hear back before deadline.
He told the ABC that he never performed surgery to treat endometriosis unless he was “absolutely convinced” that it was in the patient’s best interests and would improve their quality of life.
According to the broadcaster, he explicitly stated that he has never been contacted by Medicare about potentially inappropriate billing.
“For generations, the pain suffered by women was ignored, downplayed and untreated,” he told the ABC.
“My concern was to try and alleviate pain and restore quality of life for female patients, a cohort once neglected and dismissed.
“Throughout a life in gynaecology, I’ve always acted ethically and responsibly with my patients.”
Related
According to reporting by both the ABC and Nine Newspapers, Dr Gordon was the subject of multiple AHPRA notifications in the years leading up to his retirement.
On Monday, the regulator released a statement confirming that it was once again investigating Dr Gordon’s practice and acknowledging the distress of patients who have voiced concerns about the surgical treatments they received.
“We confirm that when investigating complex medical matters, Ahpra always draws upon specialist clinical advice,” it said.
“We take into consideration details about relevant previous notifications. In some circumstances, new information is received that necessitates reconsideration of a previous regulatory decision.
“In relation to our current investigation, Ahpra is commissioning a panel of independent medical experts to review and support this work.
“In addition, consistent with Ahpra’s commitment to continuous improvement, we are actively reviewing our overall methodology in assessing and managing these types of cases, as well as the criteria for regulator intervention, noting that no individual case is the same.
“Investigations need to be rigorous, fair and timely. Should we need to change our approach, we will.”
Victorian premier Jacinta Allan, who herself lives with endometriosis, said she had been “sickened” by the allegations about surgical misconduct and took aim at the regulator.
“It’s our expectation that when allegations are made about a practitioner, they are taken seriously and investigated in a timely manner by AHPRA,” she said.
“If that has not occurred in this case, they need to explain why and ensure it doesn’t happen again.”
Ms Allan confirmed that Epworth Private Hospital, where Dr Gordon practised, had announced an independent review into the allegations. Safer Care Victoria will sit on the review panel.
“I have also referred these allegations to Victoria Police,” she said.
“Without commenting on the specific case, let me be clear: 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.
“Following these allegations, we will standardise the guidelines for how endometriosis is diagnosed.”
Safer Care Victoria has been tasked with publishing the guidelines, which Ms Allan said would make it clear that a “less invasive” ultrasound procedure should be the first step for diagnosing the disease.
“We will also provide additional training to help doctors recognise endometriosis and treat it appropriately,” she said.
“Because we must continue lifting awareness and understanding of women’s pain, not just within the community but among clinicians.
“I’m even exploring a certification – a simple ‘pink tick’ – for clinicians who complete this training.”
Regional women’s health service Women’s Health in the South East has called for an examination of Medicare billing surveillance mechanisms to determine whether “anomalous procedural patterns” for high-risk or high-cost items should trigger a proactive review.
“For too long, women’s bodies, women’s pain and women’s health have been seen as secondary,” CEO Kit McMahon told The Medical Republic.
“Women’s bodies are not seen being seen as the norm. That is changing. We have research standards that are changing the way that that health is researched.
“We have, hopefully soon, changes to the way our medical profession is trained, so that women’s bodies are not looked at for one week in the third year.
“But this will be intergenerational change.”
