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Patient reports NHS Tayside to police over disgraced surgeon Sam Eljamel

Patient reports NHS Tayside to police over disgraced surgeon Sam Eljamel

A victim of a disgraced brain surgeon has filed evidence to Police Scotland, accusing NHS Tayside of “reaching the threshold of criminality” while the doctor was “armed with a scalpel”.

Jules Rose, 55, was one of dozens harmed by Professor Sam Eljamel, who removed her tear duct instead of a brain tumour in 2013.

Prof Eljamel worked at NHS Tayside from 1995 until he was suspended in 2013 for his actions.

Before submitting her evidence, Ms Rose spoke to reporters outside Tayside Police Station in Dundee, where she explained she believes the health board failed Prof Eljamel’s patients.

She said: “Over the years I’ve collated a significant amount of evidence from various sources that I feel evidences the lack of clinical oversight with Tayside and reaching the threshold of criminality.

“I had written a 20-page statement with the evidence that I’m going to submit in this folder today so I’m going to present that to Police Scotland.”

She added that officers had told her they would use her evidence as part of their investigation and present it to the Crown Office.

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‘Many patients are irate’

Prof Eljamel is now understood to be working as a surgeon in Libya.

Asked if she is angry that he has left the country, Ms Rose said: “Yes. Many, many patients are irate and the anger and frustration that they feel that Eljamel has fled the country.

“However, this is the wider picture now. And that’s why I’m here today.

“Because NHS Tayside, we feel, armed Eljamel with a scalpel and allowed him to do business and to cause harm.”

Ms Rose said she could not discuss any of the evidence at this time.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Enquiries are ongoing and we continue to work alongside partner agencies.”

A spokesperson for NHS Tayside said: “It would not be appropriate for us to comment.”