Police quiz patients over alleged failures by hospital surgeon

Several people claim they were left in agony after procedures by former Ninewells specialist

Police are building a criminal case against a disgraced former Tayside surgeon, The Courier can reveal.

Lengthy interviews have taken place into Muftah Salem Eljamel’s alleged failures during his time at Ninewells Hospital, Dundee.

Gillian Davidson, 59, from Forfar, said she received an email from police asking her to make a statement and spoke to officers about her experience.

Mrs Davidson, who claimed she was left in agony following a routine back operation, said she was left in no doubt that police are working to “build a case” against Mr Eljamel and the evidence being gathered will be submitted to the procurator fiscal.

Statements made previously by William Murray, 67, of Auchterarder, Patrick Kelly, 58, from Dundee, and Jules Rose, 50, from Kinross, have prompted more alleged victims to come forward to police.

Mr Murray went in for spinal surgery at Ninewells following a “neck hernia” and claimed Mr Eljamel opened him up but did not carry out the operation.

Mr Murray said the “ghost surgery” ruined his life. He said: “I’m just recovering from more surgery on my spine to try to relieve chronic pain inflicted upon me for the past 10 years by Eljamel’s ambivalence and failings in mistreatment.

“I must commend the NHS staff and the more streamlined system in place since I was last here 10 years ago.

“Likewise, I must commend Police Scotland for advancing the criminal case against Eljamel and health and safety failings by NHS Tayside.”

Former DJ Patrick Kelly demanded police launch a criminal inquiry after claiming he was the victim of a “botched operation” by Mr Eljamel in 2007.

Mr Kelly continues to suffer chronic back pain and believes the operation was never carried out – despite the fact he was opened up on the operating table.

He said: “This has been a long hard fight for all of us and it continues.

“Even today NHS Tayside are still refusing to accept any responsibility for Eljamel’s actions.

“The police investigation is still a long way off but we appear to be heading in the right direction.

Mr Eljamel remains the subject of civil cases in relation to surgery carried out and these are still going through the Court of Session in Edinburgh.

A police spokeswoman said: “A number of people have been spoken to by Police Scotland. We are currently obtaining all relevant information from these people and assessing it.” severe

Picture: Kim Cessford. Patrick Kelly claims his operation was botched.

Evidence being gathered against Muftah Salem Eljamel, above, will be submitted to the procurator fiscal.