Scottish Conservative MSP Liz Smith has warned the fight for justice on behalf of former patients of disgraced NHS Tayside surgeon Sam Eljamel continues, despite welcoming a “major concession” from the health secretary today.
Although Humza Yousaf again rejected her call for an independent public inquiry into how Professor Eljamel was allowed to continue practising for so long, he did agree to MSPs representing those who suffered from his malpractice being present at a meeting with the health board about the scandal.
The SNP health secretary today met Liz Smith and fellow MSPs Willie Rennie, Michael Marra, Graeme Dey and Shona Robison to discuss the case – and accepted they should all be present when NHS Tayside are probed on the subject.
Liz Smith welcomed this but insisted the key issue remains – namely, that “absolutely no-one is taking responsibility for the appalling suffering that the former patients are having to endure”.
She said former patients of Eljamel have been kept in the dark about why he was allowed to continue practising when it was very clear that serious issues had been raised with NHS Tayside.
So far, 67 of them have come forward demanding to know the truth about why the surgeon was allowed to permanently damage their lives via botched operations – and why there has been no accountability.
Scottish Conservative MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife Liz Smith said: “I am grateful to Humza Yousaf, for his engagement, and the sympathy he expressed to the former patients of Professor Eljamel.
“But the key issue remains – absolutely no-one is taking responsibility for the appalling suffering that the former patients are having to endure or for the lack of accountability within the health system.
“There are now 67 former patients who have come forward, each with their own harrowing story, and l suspect there are more who have also suffered. They deserve justice too.
“I know from my own experience of representing several patients for seven years that every possible channel has been used to get at the truth but all that happens is that we get pushed from pillar to post with no-one accepting responsibility. That is just not acceptable.
“The health secretary has agreed to my request that the MSPs at today’s meeting should all be present at a further meeting he will urgently hold with NHS Tayside. It will demand the answers which should have been provided long ago.
“This is a major concession and myself and the other MSPs will hold him to that commitment.
“I pay tribute to my MSP colleagues and to the campaigners and their families. None of us will rest until these questions are answered and until justice is finally delivered.
“I still believe we need a full independent inquiry to uncover all the answers about this appalling scandal – and I urge Humza Yousaf to rethink his opposition to this – but today was at least a step forward.”
