Humza Yousaf confirms inquiry into disgraced NHS brain surgeon who left dozens of patients with traumatic injuries
Humza Yousaf has confirmed that a PUBLIC inquiry will be launched into a disgraced brain surgeon who injured dozens of patients at NHS Tayside.
Sam Eljamel, head of neurosurgery at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee, left life-changing injuries on some of the people he operated on before being suspended in 2013.
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Activists have long called for an investigation into the disgraced surgeon’s behavior after it was revealed he continued to perform hundreds of surgeries after being placed under surveillance.
During Thursday’s FMQs, Mr Yousaf told MSPs that the Scottish Government had decided to commission a full, independent public inquiry into the matter.
He said: “This comes after very careful review of the recent due diligence which found that concerns about Professor Eljamel were not addressed with the urgency due.”
“When an inquiry is commissioned, it remains important that those directly affected continue to be supported to find the answers they need and that both staff and patients across Scotland know that lessons are being learned. “
Mr Yousaf confirmed the move ahead of a statement by Health Secretary Michael Matheson in the Scottish Parliament.
One patient said he “knew immediately there were problems” after undergoing spinal surgery by the disgraced doctor 13 years ago.
John Grant suffered irreparable nerve damage and was informed STV News He complained to Eljamel but was rebuffed.
He said: “I complained to him and was just turned away.”
“I saw the other surgeon and was told that parts of your spine had been severed. I was given the simple facts that he screwed up your surgery and there was nothing they could do about it, and that’s when I left thinking this was my life.”
Mr Grant was among a group of patients who protested outside the Scottish Parliament on Wednesday calling for a public inquiry.
The disgraced doctor was suspended in 2013 and placed under “indirect supervision” after a series of complaints.
Over the next six months, he continued to perform surgeries on 111 patients.
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