Glen T, heated, not stirred (@[email protected])

The closing quote from Victoria's Premier is to the point. 10.12 AEDT Victoria government says new guidelines coming for endometriosis diagnosis Benita Kolovos Guardian Australia The Victorian premier, Jacinta Allan, has announced the government will standardise the guidelines for diagnosing endometriosis, with ultrasounds to become the 'first step' in identifying the condition. The announcement follows a [Australian ABC TV] Four Corners report on Monday night into allegations of unnecessary endometriosis surgeries on women. Allan said she was 'sickened' by the allegations and referred them to Victoria police: "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." She said Safer Care Victoria – the state’s health watchdog – will sit on the review ordered by Epworth 'to ensure it is rigorous, transparent and focused on patient safety'. Safer Care Victoria will also publish clinical guidelines, making it clear that a less invasive ultrasound should be the first step for diagnosing endometriosis across Victoria. Allan said an invasive laparoscopy was often being used as the first diagnostic tool, 'despite growing evidence that it is not always necessary.' She said that the government would also provide additional training to help doctors recognise and appropriately treat endometriosis. She added that she was exploring the introduction of a 'pink tick' to indicate which clinicians have completed the training. "It’s extraordinary that I should even need to propose such a thing, because women’s care is core business. But I am determined to restore confidence in a system that all women rely on."