'Do not destroy' patient file rule defied 40 TIMES

NHS got rid of logbooks, rogue doc inquiry told

- BY SARAH WARD

NHS Tayside destroyed about 40 logbooks for patients treated by shamed neurosurgeon Sam Eljamel this summer, despite a ‘do not destroy” order, an inquiry has heard.

The Eljamel Inquiry, set up to investigate the disgraced surgeon's professional practice, was announced by the Scottish Government in September 2023 and its terms of reference were set out by Scottish Health Secretary Neil Gray earlier this year, with a police investigation running concurrently.

On Wednesday, a representative for patients and families, Joanna Cherry KC, said in an opening statement there was discontent the inquiry was not set up with the UK Government’ involvement, to examine the role of the General Medical Council and the Health and Safety Executive.

Eljamel, originally from Libya, was head of neurosurgery at Dundee's Ninewells Hospital from 1995 until his suspension in December 2013.

He resigned from his post in May 2014 and removed himself from the General Medical Register in 2015.

To date, 138 patients who were harmed by him are listed as core participants at the public inquiry.