NHS Tayside 'should have' stopped disgraced brain surgeon years ago, Eljamel Inquiry told

A top doctor for NHS Tayside has told an inquiry that there was a missed opportunity to stop a disgraced brain surgeon from operating long before he eventually stepped down.

Dr James Cotton, executive medical director for the health board, said Sam Eljamel "could and should have" been struck off years before his resignation, which he offered voluntarily rather than facing a medical tribunal.

Speaking before the Eljamel Inquiry on Tuesday, Dr Cotton told senior counsel Jamie Dawson KC that he would have personally stopped the surgeon from practising long before he resigned after a number of concerns were raised, leading to him being placed under supervision in June 2013.

Mr Dawson asked if something had gone wrong with Eljamel's supervision requirements, with Dr Cotton replying: "Fundamentally, yes."

The inquiry heard that the supervision Eljamel was placed under involved weekly meetings where he discussed his patients but did not address his practise in itself.

Dr Cotton said: "The evidence that I've got, I cannot understand why he was allowed to continue to operate alone, or [was allowed to operate] at all. I cannot understand that."

He added: "I think a proper risk assessment should have taken place, and whether he needed direct supervision of his surgical practise, as in one-to-one supervision, or not operate at all, or suspended, and that would require probably some subject matter expertise at the time.

"But I can say to you, as medical director, that's the decision-making process I would be starting to think about when I read those concerns."

Mr Dawson interjected: "But I think you said a moment ago that he should not have been allowed to operate. Is that right?"

Dr Cotton replied: "Yes, I don't think he should have been. I think if I was to make that decision today, I would not let him operate."

The inquiry then heard how a fellow medical practitioner made a complaint against Eljamel in December 2012 to the chief executive of NHS Tayside, alleging a botched sight surgery.

More from the inquiry:
Patients left with disabilities
Operations on 'wrong body parts'

Another sight surgery complaint was made back in 2007, and Mr Dawson pressed Dr Cotton as to whether these examples, along with the many other allegations of malpractice over the years, should have led to Eljamel being struck off.

Dr Cotton said: "It could and should have happened, yes."

The panel also heard how Dr Cotton denied there was any form of cover-up into Eljamel's actions throughout the years.

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

During that time he is thought to have harmed as many as 200 people and left some with life-changing injuries.

Eljamel resigned from his post in May 2014, removed himself from the general medical register the following year, and is now believed to be operating in Libya.

The inquiry, taking place before Lord Weir in Edinburgh, continues.

(c) Sky News 2026: NHS Tayside 'should have' stopped disgraced brain surgeon years ago, Eljamel Inquiry told