ISTANBUL

Australian authorities have referred a Melbourne-based surgeon to police following allegations that he performed unnecessary operations, including the removal of reproductive organs, according to state officials and local media reports.

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan said Tuesday that allegations raised in an investigative report by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) had been referred to Victoria Police.

The ABC’s Four Corners program alleged that surgeon Simon Gordon repeatedly performed surgery on patients diagnosed with what they were told was “severe” endometriosis, despite pathology results that did not support those diagnoses.

According to the report, some patients had their ovaries removed, while one woman underwent a hysterectomy.

Victoria Police confirmed it had received the referral and was assessing the information.

“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,” Allan said in a statement.

She added that victims “deserve justice” and that the state “demands answers.”

Allan said the government would move to standardize diagnostic guidelines for endometriosis and is considering introducing a “pink tick” certification for clinicians who complete government-approved training.

Gynecologists who reviewed patient records told Four Corners that many of the surgeries were unnecessary and, in some cases, caused “more harm than good.”

The report stated that complaints about Gordon were made over five years to Epworth Private Hospital, the medical regulator AHPRA, and Victoria’s Healthcare Complaints Commission.

Gordon, who retired after being asked to take leave from Epworth in October, said in a statement that he never performed surgery unless he believed it was in a patient’s best interests.