Former patients of a gynaecologist accused of performing unnecessary surgeries have welcomed the decision to refer allegations against him to police.
Hundreds of women have contacted lawyers about the treatment they received from renowned Melbourne doctor Simon Gordon in recent years.
The doctor, who surrendered his medical registration last month, is accused of providing treatments for "severe" endometriosis when patients did not meet that threshold.
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan confirmed the allegations had been referred to police on Tuesday, after some were aired by ABC's Four Corners program on Monday.
A Victoria police spokesperson confirmed they had received the referral and were assessing the information.
Former patient Mary Spanos, 30, said it was a "relief" authorities appeared to be taking the allegations seriously.
"I'm blown away by how big this story has gotten, how quickly it's moved," she told AAP.
"I just hope this opportunity isn't wasted and that [Dr Gordon] is held to account."
Ms Spanos underwent surgery with Dr Gordon in 2022, after living with pelvic pain for about a decade.
"I woke up crying, in tears, because of how extensive the surgery was," she told AAP.
"In the weeks that followed, my mum kept calling Simon and he was extremely dismissive of the level of pain I was in."
The pain persisted for months, forcing Ms Spanos to use a walking stick and preventing her from exercising.
When she requested her medical records, she learned no endometriosis had been removed.
"As horrible as that experience was, I'm so relieved that I did leave at that point and not end up going through more surgeries with him," she said.
She said doctors have confirmed she suffered complications from the surgery, including her ovary adhering to her pelvic side wall.
Abbey Lewis, 23, underwent six surgeries with Dr Gordon over about three years from 2020 onwards.
Despite two laparoscopies showing she had no endometriosis, he told her a seventh surgery was needed, this time to remove her ovary.
"It was very distressing to hear at such a young age," she told AAP.
Ms Lewis only decided to opt-out of the surgery when a fertility specialist confirmed it was unnecessary.
She has since learned the operations wrought significant damage, leaving her with worse pain than before.
She said it was "heartbreaking" to hear from other patients of Dr Gordon but said she was glad the attention had prompted the involvement of authorities.
Dr Gordon retired from the Epworth in 2025. He denies the allegations.
At least three law firms have heard from Dr Gordon's former patients, including Arnold Thomas & Becker.
Principal solicitor Emily Hart said she was "appalled" by the allegations, adding her firm had been contacted by more than 240 former patients.
The firm has initiated legal action for at least two clients and estimated more than 85 per cent will have actionable claims.
"No amount of money can properly compensate someone for the loss of their fertility, particularly at such a young age," Ms Hart said.
Margalit Injury Lawyers and Maurice Blackburn have also received scores of inquiries from former patients.
Ms Allan, who herself has been diagnosed with endometriosis, said women should not be going through unnecessary surgical procedures.
She confirmed that Safer Care Victoria will sit on an independent review panel launched by Epworth following the allegations.
