A former brain surgeon once described as one of the most promising neurosurgeons in Scotland has been called to account in a public inquiry after performing operations on the wrong parts of patients’ bodies while working at NHS Tayside. The inquiry heard evidence that disgraced surgeon Sam Eljamel carried out a number of procedures that went astray, leaving patients permanently damaged.
A distinguished career undone
Sam Eljamel was once regarded as a leading figure in British neurosurgery, heading the neurosurgery department at NHS Tayside in Dundee. His work attracted referrals from across the region, and he built a reputation as a skilled clinician. That reputation began to unravel when patients started reporting outcomes that did not match what had been explained to them before their operations.
The inquiry heard that Eljamel performed procedures targeting the wrong areas of patients’ bodies — operations that were intended to address specific medical conditions but instead caused lasting harm. For those affected, the consequences ranged from chronic pain to serious neurological deficits that altered the course of their lives.
As concerns mounted, questions were raised about how such errors could go undetected within a major NHS organisation. The inquiry is examining not only the individual cases but also the systems, oversight, and culture that allowed them to occur.
Why it matters
The Eljamel case has become one of the most significant patient-safety inquiries in recent NHS history. It raises fundamental questions about how surgical errors are identified, reported, and addressed within the health service. For the patients involved, the inquiry represents a long-awaited opportunity to have their experiences formally acknowledged. For the NHS, the findings are likely to prompt scrutiny of how specialist surgical departments operate, how concerns are escalated, and how patients are protected from rogue practice.
What happens next
The public inquiry continues to hear evidence, with further testimony expected from patients, former colleagues, and NHS officials. Its final report is likely to make recommendations on improving oversight of surgical practice, strengthening patient complaint mechanisms, and ensuring that concerns about individual clinicians are investigated promptly. The findings could have implications for how NHS boards across Scotland and the wider UK approach clinician governance.
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