Victim of NHS rogue brain surgeon wins £2.8m payout
A PATIENT has been awarded a £2.8million payout after botched surgery left her with ‘life-changing’ injuries.
Carolyn Almond-Roots, 54, will need care for life after her ordeal at the hands of bungling surgeon Muftah Salem Eljamel in 2013.
The former head of neurosurgery at NHS Tayside is facing legal action from dozens of former patients who claim he harmed them.
Miss Almond-Roots was treated by Eljamel at Ninewells Hospital and the private Fernbrae Hospital, both in Dundee, for pain from her thighs.
Jonathan Howat, a senior lawyer with Thompsons Solicitors, said the operation left his client permanently injured.
‘The disgraceful conduct of Eljamel has left my client with very serious and life-changing injuries that affect every aspect of her daily life,’ he said.
‘The level of compensation Miss Almond-Roots has received highlights the seriousness of what has been inflicted upon her.
‘The settlement… agreed takes into account the fact my client will need to pay for additional care for the rest of her life.’
The law firm confirmed their client was awarded £2,810,110 by Lord Uist at the Court of Session in Edinburgh.
It previously revealed their lawyers had been contacted by around 100 former patients alleging mistreatment. Eljamel was suspended from his role at NHS Tayside after an external investigation by the Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) in December 2013. The RCS found mistreatment took place during crucial brain and spinal surgeries and, in some cases, he told patients he had successfully operated despite surgery never taking place. The health board was initially warned of the bungled operations in June 2013 and said it took ‘immediate action’, by placing him under supervision. But one month later, Eljamel removed Jules Rose’s entire tear gland instead of her brain tumour.
Another patient said he had almost died after the surgeon botched his back operation in 2007. Patrick Kelly, from Dundee, said he reported Eljamel to police after becoming frustrated at a perceived lack of action by NHS Tayside.
After complaints from at least 55 patients, Eljamel resigned from NHS Tayside. He dodged disciplinary action by voluntarily removing himself from the UK Medical Register in August 2015 ahead of a fitness to practise hearing.
In 2018, it emerged that Eljamel had been reported to police who stated at the time they were ‘investigating a complaint’.
Yesterday, police confirmed they had not brought any charges yet. A spokesman said: ‘We have been contacted by a number of former patients and inquiries remain ongoing.’
NHS Tayside said it would be unable to comment as the case is ongoing.
Miss Almond-Roots declined to comment.
‘Additional care for rest of life’