Ex-Patients Slam Malham’s ‘Arrogant’ Care

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Former patients of neurosurgeon Greg Malham have accused him of dismissive and dehumanizing treatment, prompting Epworth Hospital to refer complaints to the medical regulator.

A series of troubling allegations has emerged against Professor Greg Malham, a prominent Melbourne neurosurgeon, with former patients describing his care as arrogant and dismissive. According to a July 31, 2025, report by ABC News, these complaints follow Malham’s resignation from Epworth Private Hospital in May, triggered by a viral video showing him destroying an election corflute for independent Member of Parliament (MP) Monique Ryan. The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) will now investigate a patient’s complaint referred by Epworth, raising questions about accountability in Australia’s private healthcare system.

One former patient, Emma Pursey, a Melbourne-based actor and writer, detailed her experience to ABC News, describing Malham’s post-operative care after her 2013 spinal fusion surgery as “dehumanizing.” Pursey, who sought treatment for childhood scoliosis, reported severe pain and sleep deprivation during recovery, yet felt her concerns were ignored. “Her questions were disregarded, leaving her feeling humiliated and irrelevant in discussions about her own health,” she wrote in a letter to Epworth’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Andrew Stripp. Pursey emphasized that Malham’s behavior reflected a broader pattern, a sentiment echoed by others who contacted ABC’s Four Corners program after its “God Complex” investigation aired.

Epworth’s response has been firm, with Stripp condemning Malham’s actions as “unacceptable” following the corflute incident, as noted in a May 2025 statement to The Age. The hospital’s referral to AHPRA underscores its commitment to addressing patient grievances, though Stripp could not comment on specifics due to legal constraints. Malham’s subsequent termination from Warringal Private Hospital, owned by Ramsay Health Care, came after the Four Corners exposé highlighted further allegations of unprofessional conduct, including inappropriate workplace remarks. Warringal’s CEO, Maree Mendola, informed staff on July 22, 2025, that Malham’s behavior did not align with the hospital’s values, per ABC News.

The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) has also weighed in, with President Professor Owen Ung stating that behaviors undermining patient safety or fostering discrimination are unacceptable, as reported by ABC News. As AHPRA’s investigation proceeds, Malham’s case highlights the need for robust oversight in healthcare to ensure patient trust and safety.