Alleged victims of a scandal-hit former NHS Tayside surgeon have said it is “no surprise” to see him working again in Libya.
Muftah Salem Eljamel – who had been a consultant neurological surgeon at NHS Tayside since 1995 — was suspended in 2014 after a patient had surgery on the wrong spinal disc at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee.
He also had to step down from his teaching and research posts at Dundee University after the interim order by the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service.
The General Medical Council later allowed Mr Eljamel to remove himself from the medical register after ruling it was in the best interests of patients.
Mr Eljamel is operating again as a surgeon in the Libyan city of Misrata where he now works at a number of hospitals.
Former Dundee DJ Pat Kelly demanded Police Scotland launch a criminal inquiry after claiming he was the victim of a “botched operation” by Mr Eljamel in 2007.
Mr Kelly continues to suffer chronic back pain and believes the operation was never actually carried out, despite the fact he was opened up on the operating table.
“I must admit it is of no surprise he is working in Libya,” he said.
“It appears that the Libyan people now have faith in Eljamel because there were no sanctions placed on him in the UK.
“The way they see it is the surgeons make mistakes and this is exaxctly what his operations on us were – mistakes. Who can blame them?
“The fault for this fiasco lies with NHS Tayside who failed to bring in the police and the GMC for allowing him to resign and disappear.”
There were allegations he continued to work at Ninewells for almost a year from 2013 to 2014 under “supervision” while NHS Tayside investigated the complaints.
Jules Rose from Kinross was operated on by Mr Eljamel in August 2013, just one month after he was placed under supervision due to serious concerns about his work.
However, Mr Eljamel was still able to work and while doing so, operated on Ms Rose where he removed a tear gland instead of a brain tumour.
“He has obviously gone somewhere he feels he can get away with it,” she said.
“These poor people have no idea.”
The Scottish Government said it was “very sorry” after a series of operations left patients claiming their long-term health had been affected – but it ruled out an inquiry, stating it was “satisfied” that a “thorough and wide-ranging” investigation by NHS Tayside would “prevent this happening again in future”.
Liz Smith, who represents the Mid Scotland and Fife region for the Scottish Conservatives, said she will be raising the issue in the Scottish Parliament.
She said: “This is deeply worrying news and also very upsetting for the NHS Tayside patients who were operated on by Professor Eljamel.
“These include one patient who has told me her own very harrowing story and who is urgently awaiting the outcome of the Procurator Fiscal investigation.
“I have been assisting her for several months to get the answers she and other patients deserve.
“The alleged malpractice has been life threatening in some cases and very serious questions remain.
“I shall be raising this matter again in parliament this week.”
Mr Eljamel was involved in a series of controversies after giving up his licence to practice.
He continued to jet around the globe on speaking engagements and faced a suggestion of apparent misrepresentation by Dundee and Liverpool universities.
At the start of 2018, Mr Eljamel sold his house in Newport, Fife, to prepare for a new life abroad.
He remains the subject of civil cases in relation to surgery carried out which are still going through the Court of Session in Edinburgh.
Police Scotland has also been involved in building a criminal case against Mr Eljamel after lengthy interviews were carried out with alleged victims.
A Police Scotland spokesman said inquiries are continuing.
Eljamel timeline
May 2014 – It emerges that Mr Eljamel has been suspended from Ninewells Hospital in Dundee after a patient underwent surgery on the wrong spinal disc.
March 2015 – Pat Kelly demands a public inquiry after claiming he was the victim of a “botched operation” by Mr Eljamel in 2007. Then health minister Shona Robison later rejects inquiry calls.
More people come forward to allege long-term health difficulties following surgery by Mr Eljamel.
May 2015 – A national hotline is set up by personal injury lawyer Patrick McGuire of Thompson’s to identify possible victims.
Mr Eljamel sparks fury as he jets to Brazil to address guests at the 15th International Photo-dynamic Association World Congress.
August 2015 – Mr Eljamel gives up his licence to practise.
September 2015 – The Scottish Government said it was “very sorry” after a series of operations left patients claiming their long-term health had been affected, but it ruled out an inquiry.
July 2016 – Mr Eljamel is accused of giving the impression he was representing Dundee University on a speaking engagement in China.
October 2016 – Mr Eljamel’s appearance at the Royal Society of Medicine conference in London is hastily cancelled.
He is removed from the schedule when The Courier brings to the attention of organisers that he no longer holds a medical licence.
February 2017 – Mr Eljamel incurs the wrath of the doctors’ regulator and the Scottish Government’s chief medical officer. He is told to take down false information from his website that claimed he was still registered with the GMC.
February 2018 – Mr Eljamel sells up to prepare for a new life abroad.
November 2018 – Police start to build a criminal case against Mr Eljamel over alleged failures during his time at Ninewells Hospital.
February 2019 – Health Secretary Jeane Freeman seeks assurances from all health boards that correct complaint handling is in place to avoid any repeat after allegations Mr Eljamel continued to work at Ninewells under “supervision” for a year from 2013-14 after harming dozens of patients.
February 2020 – Mr Eljamel is found to be operating as a surgeon in Libya.
