On Monday night, we heard of the serious allegations about surgical misconduct at a Melbourne private hospital.
The stories were heartbreaking. Women whose lives have been changed permanently.
These Victorian women deserve support during this difficult and traumatic time.
We know many of Dr Simon Gordon's past patients have questions and concerns - that's why we have established a dedicated and trusted source for information.
A dedicated phone line, delivered by Women's Health Victoria, which will open from 1:00pm on Monday, 2 March.
From midday today, a call back form will be available on the Women's Health Victoria website until the phone line opens.
Through the phone line, callers can:
- talk to someone who is safe, respectful and non-judgemental
- receive information about endometriosis and pelvic pain
- get help to understand formal complaints and regulatory processes
- be connected to appropriate health, counselling and/or support services.
Women's Health Victoria cannot provide clinical, financial or legal advice.
The phone line will be open Monday to Friday between 9:00am and 5:00pm.
Women's Health Victoria is an independent and trusted organisation with years of experience providing health information, advice and system navigation support.
It is clear more needs to be done to support Victorian women seeking care for endometriosis and pelvic pain.
To help ensure we are listening and responding to these needs, de-identified, anonymous insights will be shared with the Government to help inform any further reform.
The phone line follows an announcement on Tuesday of actions being taken by the Allan Labor Government following these allegations. The actions we are taking include:
- having Safer Care Victoria sit on the Epworth Private Hospital's independent review panel
- referring these allegations to Victoria Police
- updating clinical guidelines for the diagnosis of endometriosis
- delivering additional training to help doctors recognise endometriosis and treat it appropriately.
For anyone requiring urgent medical care, you can contact the Virtual Emergency Department, Nurse-On-Call, visit one of Victoria's 29 Urgent Care Clinics, or in an emergency, dial 000.
If you are in immediate distress, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636 for urgent support.
More information is available at whv.org.au/endometriosis-and-pelvic-pain-surgery-concerns-line.
