Epworth HealthCare Review Backs Governance Framework, Makes 21 Recommendations

An independent review of a Melbourne hospital's governance framework has found "no significant gaps" in its policies and guidelines, but has made 21 recommendations to improve its clinical governance arrangements.

The review, commissioned by Epworth HealthCare after allegations were made against a gynaecologist who worked at the hospital, found that the operator's clinical governance framework was "robust" and "detailed". However, the review did note areas for improvement, including the need for more oversight of procedures that could affect women's fertility.

"I recognise that the recent reporting has been distressing for many patients and their families, and I am sorry for the worry and uncertainty this has caused," Epworth HealthCare chief executive Andrew Stripp said in a statement.

The review did not examine the practice of the gynaecologist in question, Simon Gordon, who allegedly performed unnecessary operations on women. However, it did make recommendations to improve the hospital's processes for receiving and reviewing patient feedback, as well as its data collection and analysis.

Among the recommendations was a proposal for peer-to-peer insight or multidisciplinary input when medical treatment with the potential to compromise fertility is being considered. Epworth HealthCare has vowed to introduce a requirement for a multidisciplinary review for such gynaecological procedures.

The review also found that Epworth staff and executives did not thoroughly understand how external regulatory bodies, such as the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and medical boards, "could or should" be involved in Epworth's clinical governance frameworks.

"Feedback mechanisms should be established to ensure those who raise concerns or report incidents are aware that appropriate consideration has been given to those reports [within privacy and confidentiality boundaries]," the review said.

Dr Gordon has previously maintained he acted ethically and responsibly, telling the media 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".

He retired from practice shortly after Epworth discovered in October 2025 that an investigation was being conducted into him and removed himself from AHPRA's register of practitioners in December.