In January 2019, I underwent laser eye surgery with Dr. Con Moshegov at George Street Eye Centre in Sydney. Dr. Moshegov had instructed me to reduce anxiety before the surgery by any means necessary, including alcohol consumption. Prior to the procedure his staff supplied me with benzodiazepines. Mixing benzodiazepines with alcohol can have dangerous consequences and I believe Dr. Moshegov’s guidance placed my health at serious risk.

I experienced a severe panic attack during the surgery and repeatedly told Dr. Moshegov that, "I couldn’t do it [the surgery]," in a frantic and loud tone. However, the surgery went ahead and I left the clinic very shaken. My partner said he had heard what sounded like loud cries coming from the operating room. In his documentation from the surgery, Dr. Moshegov wrote ‘virtually no cooperation’. I do not believe this constitutes informed and proper consent.

In February 2019, I attended a consultation with Dr. Moshegov with the purpose of seeking relief from ongoing eye pain related to the surgery. I witnessed Dr. Moshegov drinking wine when I entered the centre, and he was drinking a liberal amount of alcohol throughout my consultation. He took vodka shots whilst performing tests and applying medicated eye drops to my eyes and encouraged me to drink. He also made inappropriate and unprofessional comments regarding my physical appearance.

In May 2019, I submitted a complaint to the HCCC who chose to refer the matter to the Medical Council of NSW. The Council chose not to reprimand Dr. Moshegov, even though he disclosed that he had offered me alcohol and consumed alcohol during my consultation. I strongly disagreed with the Council’s decision not to reprimand Dr. Moshegov despite the severity of claims made against him and became extremely disappointed by the outcome. I appealed the decision in March 2021 but the Medical Council chose not to amend the standing outcome.

Since my interactions with Dr. Moshegov, I have suffered from debilitating physical and mental health problems. I have been left with chronic neuropathic corneal pain as a direct result of the surgery; I believe I was not warned of this potential risk and it was not explicitly noted on the consent form I signed. This chronic pain condition continues to dramatically affect my quality of life. I am no longer able to work full-time and have experienced financial hardship due to the high ongoing cost of medical treatments/medications and specialist appointments. Related symptoms I experience are depression, anxiety, PTSD symptoms, and suicidal ideation.

I remain concerned that both the HCCC and Medical Council of NSW have chosen not to take strong disciplinary action despite a clear disclosure of attending to a patient whilst intoxicated. It took a great deal of courage for me to come forward, especially due to the fact Dr. Moshegov repeatedly told me not to report his behaviour.

As a vulnerable patient who was in desperate need of health care, I deserved so much better than what I received. I politely request that the NSW Minister of Health, the Honourable Brad Hazzard, review my case and provide a fair outcome. I strongly believe Dr. Moshegov’s conduct was intrusive, unprofessional and unsafe in nature, and I am extremely concerned that this ‘slap on the wrist’ will not deter future poor conduct. I am making this statement in the hope that potential patients will not endure the same or similar treatment under his care.  

Please sign this petition and help me ensure my voice is heard.