Jules Rose, who was the victim of a botched op at the hands of disgraced Tayside neurosurgeon Sam Eljamel, held a summit with the newly-appointed Patient Safety Commissioner for Scotland.
Eljamel is believed to have operated on around 4000 people while head of neurosurgery at Ninewells hospital
A leading campaigner harmed by butcher surgeon Sam Eljamel has called on Scotland’s first patient safety tsar to ensure the scandal is a “never again” event.
Jules Rose was the victim of a botched op at the hands of the disgraced Tayside neurosurgeon, who is believed to have operated on around 4000 people while working as head of neurosurgery at Ninewells hospital, and hundreds of cases are now being investigated by police under Operation Stringent.
The mum, who discovered that Eljamel had removed her tear gland instead of a tumour on her brain, held a summit with Karen Titchener just weeks after she was appointed Patient Safety Commissioner for Scotland as victims prepare to give evidence to a major public inquiry.
Titchener has been tasked with tackling the biggest issues facing the country’s health service.
Jules from Fife, said she has demanded assurances that patients will be better protected from rogue medics in future.
Jules Rose suffered at Eljamel’s hands (Image: Callum Moffat)
She said: “The commissioner had stipulated that she felt part of her job was to focus on events which can never happen again. We want Eljamel to be a ‘never again’ event. The commissioner recognised that what happened can never be repeated. But how do we know that’s not happening out there right now?
“I’m not convinced that if there was a rogue surgeon right now in one of our health boards, that some of the actions that should have been taken with Eljamel would be taken now.”
The Eljamel case has been described as one of Scotland’s biggest medical scandals.
Scores of patients have spoken out about being left with life-altering injuries and disabilities after being operated on by him.
He was suspended in 2013 and allowed to retire in 2014 despite concerns already being raised and is understood to still be operating in Libya.
Police Scotland were criticised by Scotland’s Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain earlier this year for the length of time they had been investigating Eljamel.
Karen Titchener, the new Patient Safety Commissioner
Operation Stringent – which had been running for seven years – had identified 113 patient cases which were being investigated. But Jules was informed that NHS Tayside has referred a further 82 to the police at a third meeting with Bain last week.
It also emerged in recent days that NHS victims harmed by Eljamel have had cases timebarred, while private patients have been assured their cases will not be affected by time restrictions.
The Scottish Government said it expected NHS Tayside to consider all cases “fairly and reasonably” while NHS Tayside said it did not take “a blanket approach” on timebar.
Jules said she had also demanded more support for victims still coming forward.
She said: “There’s no primary support for victims. These people thought they were the only ones for years and are now being left with trauma.
“The commissioner was very interested in looking at how we can focus on those coming into the Eljamel process, so that patients can be heard, listened to and supported.”
The Eljamel Inquiry will hold opening statements at hearings in Edinburgh later this month.
Eljamel’s actions will be examined
This week, crown counsel met with core participants, including Jules, who shared experiences to be presented at the hearing.
She said: “I underestimated how much that would affect me.
“I’m running a campaign and have kind of put my own needs to one side, but when you’re telling your story and hearing those of so many others it can feel like you’ve been hit with a tonne of bricks.
“It’s apparent to me we’ve only scratched the surface so far.”
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Patient Safety Commissioner, Titchener said: “I want to acknowledge the significant harm many patients believe they have suffered and the distress they continue to carry. Their courage in coming forward is vital, and their stories highlight the importance of patient safety and transparency across our health system.
“We must now allow the public inquiry to examine fully and independently what went wrong and why. It is important that we do not prejudge its findings, but it is equally important that the suffering of patients is recognised today.
“As Patient Safety Commissioner, I am committed to ensuring that patients’ voices are listened to, that they are treated with dignity, and that the lessons from this case drive meaningful and lasting change.”
NHS Tayside said it will make an opening statement at the start of the inquiry.
A spokeswoman said: “The Board will contribute openly to the inquiry, be accountable for the decision-making and actions taken, and remains committed to learning all lessons.”
A spokeswoman for the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service said: “COPFS recognise the distress and upset of those affected by the actions of Sam Eljamel.
“We will continue work with Police Scotland as they gather all relevant information.”