NHS failed to act on brain surgeon who harmed patients

NHS Tayside has been criticised over its handling of disgraced brain surgeon Sam Eljamel in a new report.

The internal due diligence review criticised health board management for putting the doctor under indirect supervision in June 2013 rather than suspending him.

The surgeon harmed dozens of patients but was allowed to continue operating until he was suspended in late 2013.

Some of his patients were left with life-changing injuries.

He was employed as a surgeon by NHS Tayside for 18 years and later became the head of the neurosurgery department in Ninewells Hospital in Dundee.

NHS Tayside has apologised to former patients of Prof Eljamel and committed to assisting in the Scottish government's independent commission for patient concerns.

The health board claimed it became aware of concerns around the surgeon in June 2013, but an NHS whistleblower told the BBC the health board knew as early as 2009 that there were serious concerns.

He is now working as a surgeon in Libya.

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Source: BBC News, 1 September 2023