Who Is Neurosurgeon Greg Malham? The Terminated Kiwi Doctor Exposed for Toxic, Sexist Behaviour

Professor Greg Malham, once considered one of Australasia's leading neurosurgeons, has had his temporary credentials terminated by a second Melbourne private hospital following a series of allegations of toxic and sexist behaviour.

According to reports, the decision was taken by Warringal Private Hospital following a Four Corners investigation that uncovered multiple accusations from former colleagues, patients and the family of a deceased nurse.

Warringal's chief executive, Maree Mendola, informed staff that the allegations did not align with Ramsay Health Care's values. 'Everyone working in our hospitals is expected to uphold our Code of Conduct and The Ramsay Way values,' she wrote in a staff-wide email.

Who Is Neurosurgeon Greg Malham?

According to his medical profile, Professor Greg Malham, born and raised in New Zealand, is a highly credentialed neurosurgeon who trained in his home country and the UK before establishing a leading private practice in Melbourne.

Malham is internationally recognised for his expertise in spinal surgery, particularly in minimally invasive techniques and image-guided procedures. Over the years, he has held senior surgical roles, published extensively in peer-reviewed journals, and lectured globally. He has operated on elite athletes and contributed to international advancements in spinal arthroplasty and robotic-assisted surgery.

Until recently, he was regarded as one of the most accomplished and in-demand spine surgeons in the region.

Not His First Rodeo

In 2025, this is the second time Malham has come under scrutiny and faced its consequences. After a questionable video of him surfaced in April, he resigned from Epworth Private Hospital, one of Melbourne's largest private health institutions.

In the footage, Malham was seen tearing down independent MP Monique Ryan's election corflute, saying, 'always gotta bury the body,' a comment many found deeply troubling, particularly amid a national conversation on gender-based violence. The video, which came around during the federal election campaign, prompted an internal review.

An external investigation was also conducted by Epworth after the video went viral in the country. Its chief executive, Andrew Stripp, called the behaviour 'abhorrent' and expressed concern about its implications for the workplace culture. Malham resigned shortly after.

Allegations of Misconduct

The Four Corners report uncovered years of complaints from former nurses, radiographers and patients who described a culture of bullying, sexism, and egotism surrounding the surgeon.

Katie, a former recovery nurse at Epworth, told the program that Malham's behaviour was often inappropriate and made many women uncomfortable. 'He'd come into recovery and say, 'Hey spunky," she shared. 'He would make a lot of the nurses quite uncomfortable... he'd sometimes put his hand on your back and just leave it there that little bit too long.'

Another staff member, Maddison, a former radiographer, recalled breaking down in tears after being verbally abused in theatre. 'I felt uncomfortable, intimidated, scared, stressed and embarrassed,' she said in a formal complaint she lodged before leaving the hospital in 2021.

Case of Laura Heffernan

The most serious accusation against Malaham relates to the suicide of a 34-year-old nurse, Laura Heffernan, in 2014. In her note, she directly blamed Malham, revealing that she had been in a relationship with him and felt betrayed after learning of his infidelity.

'I feel disgusting & used & humiliated & ashamed,' she wrote. Former colleagues at Epworth said they witnessed her decline after the relationship ended and expressed concern about the power imbalance between the high-profile surgeon and a junior staff member.

'He wasted her life,' Laura's mother, Christine Heffernan, said. 'None of it will ever make sense.'

Meanwhile, the surgeons' associations and professional bodies have also responded to the investigation. The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS), of which Malham is a fellow, condemned the behaviour outlined in the Four Corners report.

'Behaviour that undermines patient safety or fosters discrimination or harassment has no place in surgery,' wrote RACS president Professor Owen Ung.

Malham has not responded publicly to the Four Corners allegations; nevertheless, with two hospitals having now severed ties, the future of his medical career remains uncertain.