Victims of botched operations at NHS Tayside 'strongly' reject Health Secretary's latest offer
75 former patients of surgeon Sam Eljamel demand answers
Last updated 4th May 2023
Former patients of disgraced NHS Tayside surgeon, Professor Sam Eljamel, are strongly rejecting the health secretary's latest offer into the scandal.
Michael Matheson proposed last month an independent review into each case to be carried out so victims of botched operations can seek answers.
But, campaigners, believe that won't cut it and are demanding a full public inquiry, instead.
It follows years of revelations about Prof Eljamel.
The surgeon harmed dozens of patients for at least two-decades before leaving the health board in 2013.
He is now working as a surgeon in Libya.
We're told there are now 75 former patients of Prof Eljamel who are wanting to find out what happened to them.
Patient group releases statement
The Patients’ Action Group, who're fighting for answers, have issued the following statement: "So-called ‘independent’ reports that have been attempted in the past have failed to be truly independent, why would this per-case independent review offer be any different?
"An ‘independent’ per-case review will also find it difficult to investigate where patients have subsequently died, and their families are still seeking answers.
"An ‘independent’ per-case review will also find it difficult to investigate patients who, having requested their medical records, have discovered that these are either not available in their entirety or only partially available.
It also added "we are also aware that some patients’ MSPs have recently claimed that their constituents would find a Public Inquiry to be 'too traumatic'.
"This is not the case.
"Some of those MSP’s parents have advised us that they have re-iterated to their MSPs that they are in full support of seeking the Public Inquiry.
"These patients have suffered and continue to suffer ongoing trauma due to the level of failures to date in their healthcare, in addition, the lack of support from the various organisations including the Scottish Government prevent these patients & their families from obtaining the answers they need.
"A Public Inquiry would ensure that happens and give them a way forward".
Alan Ogilvie, 46, from Kirriemuir, Angus, was operated on by Eljamel back in 1995 for a cyst on his brain.
Months later, Mr Ogilvie, had to get the same procedure after a delay in his recovery.
Commenting on the Patients’ Action Group statement, he has said: "I support what's been said in the statement, it's clear that the offered review will not go far enough to satisfy all of the questions I have, and many of the other patients have.
"Only a Public Inquiry can get everything out in the open.
"There's too many organisations involved, a lot of history, and I don't think that the offered review will be able to answer those in a trusted way that is open to myself, the other patients, and the public".
We've approached Health Secretary Michael Matheson for comment.