Public inquiry to be held into disgraced brain surgeon after botched surgery saw patients harmed
- Victory for campaigners following long fight for inquiry into the scandal
- Up to 200 people may have been affected after 66-year-old Professor Sam Eljamel left patients with lifelong complications
CAMPAIGNERS have won a battle for a full independent public inquiry into a disgraced surgeon who botched operations.
Professor Sam Eljamel harmed dozens of patients at NHS Tayside, leaving some with life-changing injuries while he was head of neurosurgery at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee.
Mr Yousaf confirmed the decision to hold a public inquiry during First Minister’s Questions at Holyrood.
It follows a long-running campaign, with almost 150 former patients of the surgeon and many MSPs demanding one.
It also comes after a damning review by NHS Tayside into the scandal.
Professor Eljamel worked for NHS Tayside between 1995 and 2013, when he was suspended.
Sam Eljamel was the head of the neurosurgery department in Ninewells Hospital in Dundee
Jules Rose (patient) outside the Scottish Parliament to present a petition calling for a public inquiry into Professor Eljamel's botched operations at NHS Tayside
Protesters outside the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh are asking for a public inquiry into the care given to patients by "disgraced surgeon"
Humza Yousaf (left) told the Scottish Parliament that Health Secretary Michael Matheson (right) will confirm to the chamber later today that the government has decided to commission a full independent public inquiry into Professor Eljamel.
The 66-year-old botched operations leaving patients with lifelong complications. Up to 200 people may be affected.
Prior to his suspension he was placed under ‘indirect supervision’ amid complaints and concerns about his competency. But he was not supervised during his surgeries, putting even more patients at risk of harm.
Speaking at First Minister’s Questions, Mr Yousaf said: ‘This is a deeply important issue and I can inform the chamber today that Health Secretary Michael Matheson will use his statement to the chamber this afternoon to confirm that the government has decided to commission a full independent public inquiry.
‘This comes after very careful consideration of the recent Due Diligence review which says concerns about Professor Eljamel were not acted on with the urgency they deserved.
‘In commissioning an inquiry it remains important that those people directly affected are still supported to find the answers they need and both staff and patients across Scotland know lessons are being learned.
The move was welcomed by patients.
Jules Rose a 55-year-old mother-of-two from Kinross who has helped lead the campaign said: ‘I am absolutely thrilled and delighted. I have been campaigning for a public inquiry for ten years and it should never have taken this long.’
In August 2013 the rogue surgeon wrongly removed her tear duct instead of a brain tumour.
She added: ‘The inquiry must get to the root cause of the management failures at NHS Tayside that allowed this to happen and make the NHS safer.’
