A South Australian health commissioner will lead the review of clinical governance at Epworth Hospital after allegations a top gynaecologist performed unnecessary operations to remove endometriosis.
Years of complaints about surgeon ‘swept under the carpet’
Epworth HealthCare today revealed it has appointed a panel of experts for the review, which was launched after Four Corners revealed allegations Dr Simon Gordon allegedly performed operations when pathology reports showed little or no endometriosis.
Dr Gordon maintains he always acted ethically and responsibly and told the ABC he, “never performed surgery to treat endometriosis or any other condition unless I was absolutely convinced it was in the patient’s best interest and to improve their overall quality of life”.
In a statement, the health service said Professor Keith McNeil, the commissioner and chief executive of South Australia’s Commission on Excellence and Innovation, would chair the review panel.
It described him “as a nationally respected health system leader with a deep expertise in clinical governance and system reform”.
Commissioner for Excellence and Innovation in Health, Professor Keith McNeil conducted the review. (Supplied: digitalhealth.gov.au)
Safer Care Victoria has nominated Beverley Vollenhoven, “a leading gynaecologist and internationally recognised expert in women’s health and endometriosis care” to sit on the review panel, the statement said.
Professor Alan Lam from New South Wales has also been appointed, described by Epworth as “an experienced senior clinician with extensive expertise in surgical practice, clinical governance and medical leadership”.
The review will focus on gynaecological services at the hospital, including how doctors are credentialled, how concerns raised by patients and staff are addressed, and how clinical practice is overseen.
The Epworth media statement said the panel would also include two “consumer advocates with lived experience” in women’s health including endometriosis, to bring “patient perspective directly into the review”.
Epworth Hospital has commissioned an independent review following a Four Corners report airing allegations about Melbourne doctor Simon Gordon. (ABC News)
The statement also said the review would seek advice from Women’s Health Victoria to “support the inclusion of lived experience in the review”.
Former patients have previously expressed dismay and anger that they would not be formally invited to participate in the review in either interviews or submissions.
Patients told the ABC they felt the hospital’s response had been lacking, and that the hospital needed to contact all of Dr Simon Gordon’s former patients.
Now Epworth says it is writing to former patients of Dr Gordon to provide them with information about support available, including access to their medical records at no cost and connecting them to other services.
Multiple complaints were made to hospital management. (Four Corners: Ryan Sheridan)
Epworth Group chief executive Andrew Stripp said in a statement that the concerns raised about Dr Gordon were “deeply upsetting”.
“We have taken the time to ensure the right independent expertise is in place to undertake this review. It will examine how our governance systems are working today and whether there are areas we can strengthen,” he said.
“We will release the findings publicly and act on the recommendations.
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“The pain, loss and anger being expressed is deeply confronting, and it is something I take very seriously.”
The medical regulator AHPRA is also investigating the former gynaecologist, and is reviewing previous complaints it had received about the surgeon.
AHPRA has also requested thousands of medical records and documents as part of the process.
The Victorian government launched a support line operated by Women’s Health Victoria for affected patients.