Eljamel inquiry: NHS 'knew more than they were letting on'

The public inquiry into the disgraced neurosurgeon also heard how countless patients were left with “the most traumatic disabilities” and lifelong psychological problems at the hands of Eljamel.

Eljamel was a consultant neurosurgeon at Dundee’s Ninewells Hospital from 1995 until he was suspended in December 2013. He then voluntarily resigned in May 2014 and removed his name from the General Medical Register in 2015.

He is now believed to be working as a surgeon in Libya, despite harming hundreds of patients in Scotland.

Evidence sessions got underway at the public inquiry in Edinburgh on Tuesday, with former MSP Liz Smith saying there is a “very strong suspicion” that NHS Tayside tried to cover up the failings of Eljamel.

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Ms Smith, who has been supporting the patients and campaigners for the past 10 years, was one of the first to give evidence to the inquiry, saying their experiences had “greatly” upset her.

She said: “The very strong suspicion was things were being covered up.

“There was a growing belief that NHS Tayside must have known more about what happened in the oversight of Eljamel than they were ever letting on.”

She added: “Why was this allowed to happen? I’m interested not only in that, but in accountability - someone somewhere must have known, and that was allowed to happen.”

Ms Smith the evidence she had been given by her Mid Scotland and Fife constituents was “extraordinary” and “upset me greatly”.

She said: “I found it difficult to accept that kind of situation could happen, but I was absolutely determined to help the patients who had gone through this incredible trauma physically and psychologically.

“It alarmed me and appalled me to read the documentation.”

When asked what impact Eljamel’s malpractice had on his patients, Ms Smith said: “There are a whole range of physical disabilities.

“There are allegations of wrong body parts being removed and physical disabilities for patients for the rest of their lives.

“Some of these disabilities are quite horrific, losing their mobility and their means to look after themselves without a carer.

“They have gone through the most traumatic disabilities which have an effect on their families and their wellbeing. Some can’t do the things they used to, some can’t go out, they can’t drive, they can’t walk - the list is endless, that’s what makes it all so terrible.”

The former MSP then told the inquiry the stories her constituents had told her were “dreadful”, “appalling” and “difficult to hear”.

Doctors and nurses who worked with the rogue surgeon are also being encouraged to come forward with information.

Jamie Dawson KC, senior counsel to the inquiry, put out an “unequivocal call for evidence”, saying the inquiry was “open to being approached”.

Mr Dawson said: “I wish to invite any medical professionals, current or former, with an interest in our work to make contact with the inquiry directly to explain what evidence they feel they can offer.

“Though we will do what we can to identify those who we think have evidence to give, we are open to being approached, and some have already approached us directly.

“There may be some with stories to tell and they will be treated with courtesy and respect. They may have documents to provide or recollections - all are welcomed and encouraged to get in touch.

“That is an open-ended invitation, but I want to send it in particular to medical professionals who worked with Eljamel and feel they have something to contribute.”

He added: “You do not need to wait to be contacted by us.”

Over the past few months the public inquiry has been beset with delays, which was heavily criticised in some of the opening statements on Tuesday. The inquiry was also told some of the planned evidence sessions will now need to be pushed back as a result.

More than 110 patients have had their clinical cases referred to an independent clinical review by the inquiry. More than 540 patients who were treated by Eljamel have applied for their own case to be reviewed in this way.

However, so far, the inquiry has only received one neurological assessment from the independent clinical review, despite the fact this was due to be a key part of the evidence discussed in December.

An additional solicitor had been funded to try and speed up this work, with Mr Dawson branding the delays “intolerable”.

He said: “As a general observation, progress in the independent clinical review remains too slow, with various consequences.”

Mr Dawson added: “It had been intimated to the independent clinical review that the 50 initial reviews required to be completed by the end of July and the remaining 61 by the end of August.

“At this moment, I understand that one neurosurgical review has been finalised.

“While that situation is likely to change, hopefully in early course, it is unrealistic to think that reviews will be advanced in sufficient numbers and to a level which would merit consideration at hearings as soon as this December.”

Lord Weir, who is chairing the inquiry, also expressed frustration at the delays, as this part of the hearing had initially been scheduled to take place in the spring. It was delayed due to fire safety issues with the building the inquiry is taking place in.

He said: “Given the circumstances in which the present hearings were postponed in the spring, I can only think that that frustration will have grown.”

Lord Weir said the months-long postponement was “deeply disappointed” and addressing the issue had been “time consuming and extremely disruptive”.

On Wednesday the inquiry will continue, and will hear evidence from NHS Tayside chief executive Nicky Connor.