The Eljamel inquiry is set to be the most complex in Scotland’s history, as the total number of patients claiming they were harmed by the surgeon hits 200.
In a letter to campaigners, Professor Stephen Wigmore – who is chairing one-to-one patient reviews – apologised for delays in starting his probe and admitted initial estimates may have been too optimistic.
The Scottish Government ordered a full public inquiry and patient review into the scandal over Eljamel’s butchery in NHS Tayside last September, caving into years of demands.
Professor Wigmore was appointed to carry out one-to-one reviews in February, while Dundee University graduate Lord Robert Weir KC will head up the inquiry.
But so far the government has been unable to give an exact date for when the two probes will get under way.
Eljamel inquiry delayed by complexities
We can now reveal delays have been caused by the unprecedented complexity of the scandal.
In his letter, Professor Wigmore – head of the department of surgery at Edinburgh University – said he is having to “create new processes” to ensure his probe can function.
Writing to one patient, he said: “I understand your frustration with the delays in setting up the independent clinical reviews.
“As far as I understand there has never been an inquiry and a clinical review of this complexity and scale in Scotland.
“My initial estimate of when it might have been possible to start was clearly over optimistic for which I apologise.”
Eljamel campaigner Jules Rose, who was harmed by the surgeon in 2013, said: “It is no surprise one of Scotland’s leading legal minds, Professor Wigmore, has stated this is one of the most complex public inquiries in Scottish history.
“It’s bittersweet we have reached the milestone of 200 patients.
“But many patients would have felt completely isolated had we not campaigned intensely as we have for justice.”
Eljamel patients were left furious at the start of the year when former First Minister Humza Yousaf failed to guarantee the inquiry would begin this year.
Campaigners have also been angry at the lack of progress in the separate police investigation into the scandal, which was launched more than five years ago.
The rogue surgeon’s victims held a protest outside Police Scotland’s Bell Street station last month to voice their frustration.
The public inquiry was announced last September after damning new evidence showed major failures in NHS Tayside’s handling of the debacle.
Eljamel was employed by the health board between 1995 and 2013, when he was eventually suspended and later dismissed.
Mid Scotland and Fife Tory MSP Liz Smith said: “Professor Wigmore is quite right to acknowledge the scale of the Eljamel scandal and all the complexities which it involves.
“I am pleased to hear that progress is finally being made.”
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “The establishment of the independent Eljamel public inquiry is progressing at pace with the chair, Lord Weir, leading on the necessary arrangements.”
Conversation