A North East Lib Dem MSP has told health chiefs she wants a “full account” of the scandal-hit legacy of a former Tayside surgeon.
Alison McInnes said a “number of questions remain unanswered” despite the Scottish Government ruling out an inquiry after stating it is “satisfied” that an investigation into Professor Muftah Salem Eljamel by NHS Tayside will “prevent this happening again in future”.
The Government’s decision not to go ahead with an independent inquiry follows the collapse of the General Medical Council’s (GMC) retrospective investigation into Mr Eljamel after he relinquished his licence.
The former Ninewells Hospital surgeon was being investigated after being suspended last year because a patient underwent surgery on the wrong spinal disc.
Ms McInnes said: “The circumstances surrounding Professor Muftah Salem Eljamel have raised a number of concerns. Indeed a number of questions remain unanswered.
“I have been in contact with NHS Tayside to ask for a full account as I would like to know what has been learned from this.
“What also causes me some concern is that anyone who faces a hearing is able to resign before being struck off or cleared which leaves matters unresolved.
“In this case I have asked the General Medical Council to address this point.
“It is frustrating for those involved.
“A fair and transparent process is required. “
Mr Eljamel’s decision to relinquish his licence ahead of a GMC hearing to decide his future means “he can no longer practise as a doctor in the UK”.
The GMC cannot investigate doctors who are not registered and Mr Eljamel, who lives in Newport, has refused to answer questions about what happened.
The floodgates effectively opened when former Dundee radio DJ Patrick Kelly called for a public inquiry after claiming he was the victim of a “botched operation” by Mr Eljamel in 2007.
Since then many more people have come forward to say they were also left with long-term health difficulties after surgery by Mr Eljamel.