Inquiry into disgraced brain surgeon Sam Eljamel to begin public hearings

The inquiry into disgraced brain surgeon Sam Eljamel will reach a “watershed moment” as public hearings begin on Tuesday.

Mr Eljamel was a consultant neurosurgeon at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee from 1995 until his suspension in December 2013.

A public inquiry is taking place after patients of Mr Eljamel raised concerns that he had harmed as many as 200 people.

Stage one hearings had been scheduled for April, but were postponed due to concerns around the venue at Waverley Gate in Edinburgh.

However they will now get under way on September 8 after issues were resolved and will last for four weeks.

The first phase of hearings will look at issues including the broad trajectory of Mr Eljamel’s career, evidence relating to him being placed under supervision in 2013 and document management and retention systems within NHS Tayside.

Lord Weir, chairman of the inquiry, said: “Today marks another important milestone in the progress of this inquiry, and a watershed moment for all those who campaigned for it.

“Everyone engaged in the work of the inquiry has an interest in finding out what happened and what lessons can be learned.

“I remain committed to conducting an investigation which is robust, thorough and impartial.

“I hope that those interested in the inquiry’s work will find this introductory set of hearings valuable and informative in setting the context for what follows in our work”.

The first day of proceedings will begin with an opening address from Jamie Dawson KC, the inquiry’s senior counsel.

The first witness will be Liz Smith who in her former role as an MSP for Mid-Scotland and Fife represented a number of Mr Eljamel’s former patients and helped to campaign for a public inquiry.

The current chief executive of NHS Tayside, Nicky Connor, is due to give evidence on September 9.

During the first phase of hearings the inquiry will hear from a wide range of other witnesses including representatives of NHS Tayside, the Scottish Government, the University of Dundee, and regulatory or professional bodies.

Following his suspension, the surgeon resigned from his post in May 2014 and removed himself from the General Medical Register in 2015.

He is since thought to have returned to Libya to practise there.