A Broughty Ferry woman claims she’s living in “excruciating pain” after spinal surgery she says was carried out by disgraced surgeon Sam Eljamel.
Retired teacher Fay Pelloie, 69, spoke about her experience as she joined campaigners outside Holyrood demanding a Scottish Government inquiry.
Mr Eljamel is alleged to have harmed around 50 patients while he was working in Dundee.
He has been ordered to pay £2.8 million to a woman who he left with “life-changing” injuries and removed the wrong part of another patient’s body.
Ms Pelloie claimed says she left with severe spinal damage after what she hoped would be a routine operation at Fernbrae, a private hospital in the city.
She said she had put her trust in Mr Eljamel, who she says operated on her several times in eight years.
Ms Pelloie told The Courier: “I put my trust in him. If you can’t trust your surgeon, who do you trust?
“In my whole body, from head to toe, I have pain. Every step I take is excruciating. I had to give up my job.”
Ms Pelloie said a French surgeon was able to help relieve some of her pain but claimed her spinal problems are worsening again.
She warned the Scottish Government not to “pass the buck” and said a Holyrood probe is vital to get to the bottom of what happened.
But in a blow to the campaign, SNP health secretary Humza Yousaf snubbed them once again.
Deputy First Minister John Swinney sidestepped calls for a public inquiry last week in parliament.
Kinross woman Jules Rose has led the charge for an inquiry and called again for action at parliament on Wednesday afternoon.
Mr Eljamel removed her tear gland instead of a tumour when he was operating on her in 2013.
‘Get it sorted’
She said: “We’ll do this for as long as we have to. We’ve only scratched the surface in terms of campaigning.
“He was allowed to butcher these patients.
“I’m going back to Humza Yousaf to deliver that message – get it sorted.”
Tory MSP Liz Smith was with the campaigners to pass on their letter to health secretary.
She told The Courier: “We’ve not had the answers these patients deserved. I called for a public inquiry because I don’t think we’re getting anywhere.
“I think this is taking too long. I think it’s the only way we’re going to get to the truth.
“It’s time somebody stood up and took responsibility for what happened. They deserve justice.”
Angry victims are unhappy Mr Eljamel was allowed to continue working for NHS Tayside while an investigation into him was ongoing.
Mr Yousaf said: “The questions that now remain are ones that must be answered by NHS Tayside rather than government.
“I have been very clear with the board that I expect them to give this the highest priority and continue to support and involve those affected.”
An NHS Tayside spokesperson said: “A Scottish Government review regarding Professor Eljamel was commissioned by former cabinet secretary for health Jeane Freeman.
“Two independent neurosurgeons from outside NHS Scotland undertook the review, concluding with eight recommendations for NHS Tayside.
“These focus on strengthening clinical governance processes, learning from events and better ongoing support for patients in more complex and long-running matters.”
The Scottish Government was contacted for comment.