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Patient watchdog 'not confident' Eljamel would be stopped

News imageBBC A man with glasses and a bow tie stands smiling beside a display showing an illustration of a human brainBBC
Sam Eljamel was the head of the neurosurgery department at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee and also worked in private practice

Scotland's new patient safety commissioner has told MSPs she is "not confident" that whistleblowers who tried to stop disgraced brain surgeon Sam Eljamel would be listened to if such a scandal happened today.

Eljamel, who was head of neurosurgery at Dundee's Ninewells Hospital until his suspension in December 2013, harmed dozens of patients and left some with life-changing injuries.

Whistleblowers have previously told the BBC how they were shut down when they raised concerns about the surgeon.

Karen Titchener, who started her role as patient safety commissioner in September, said there were still concerns that health boards would close ranks and shut down whistleblower fears.

News imageScottish Parliament A headshot picture of Karen Titchener wearing a flowery top and smilingScottish Parliament
Karen Titchener is Scotland's first Patient Safety Commissioner

Eljamel was employed as a surgeon by NHS Tayside for 18 years.

The health board claimed it became aware of concerns about the surgeon in June 2013 but an NHS whistleblower told the BBC the health board knew as early as 2009 that there were serious concerns.

Two of Eljamel's former patients - Jules Rose and Pat Kelly - spent years campaigning for an inquiry into the surgeon.

Mr Kelly has been left housebound and Ms Rose has cPTSD after the neurosurgeon removed the wrong part of her body.

A public inquiry into what went wrong, headed by judge Lord Weir, is expected to begin initial hearings at the end of April.

Almost 500 former patients of the surgeon have applied to have their cases reviewed.

On Tuesday, Titchener told Holyrood's health committee she was not confident this type of scandal could be avoided in the future due to poor whistleblowing policies.

She said: "I'm not confident that it wouldn't happen again at the minute from what I'm hearing. It's that closing ranks and shutting things down.

"Obviously the inquiry is going on, I don't want to dirty the waters.

"But equally, even within the board that that happened, I think there are still concerns."

'Recurring patient safety concerns'

The Scottish Parliament nominated Titchener as Scotland's first patient safety commissioner in May 2025, and her appointment began in September 2025 for a fixed term of eight years.

A spokesman for the Scottish government said it recognised the pain, trauma and distress experienced by people impacted by Eljamel.

"All health service workers should have the confidence to raise concerns and there are dedicated whistleblowing champions in each health board to seek assurance that staff are encouraged and supported to speak up," he said.

The spokesman added: "All NHS Boards have processes in place to identity any recurring patient safety concerns that are raised, including any scenarios where this relates to individual practitioners.

"The health secretary regularly meets with the Patient Safety Commissioner and is always happy to discuss any matters which could improve patient safety and confidence."

NHS Tayside have been approached for comment.