Health Board Defies Inquiry With Shocking Document Destruction
The health board that employed a dangerous surgeon who harmed numerous patients has destroyed approximately 40 crucial documents despite being explicitly ordered to preserve all evidence. NHS Tayside officials eliminated theatre logbooks that could have provided vital information about disgraced neurosurgeon Sam Eljamel's practices.
The destruction occurred on July 24, 2025, despite the Eljamel Inquiry issuing a formal do not destroy order in October 2024. This shocking revelation emerged during the ongoing inquiry into the surgeon who is believed to have harmed more than 200 patients during his tenure at Dundee's Ninewells Hospital.
Patients Express Fury Over Evidence Destruction
Jules Rose, a campaigner and victim of Eljamel's botched operations, voiced her outrage outside the Edinburgh hearing. She accused the health board leadership of showing contempt for the inquiry and demanded that NHS Tayside be placed into special measures immediately.
'This current leadership have stuck their two fingers up to Lord Weir, our legal team, and most of all the patients,' Rose stated angrily. She added that the board had 'gone to great measures not for patient safety but to protect its leadership, its reputation and image.'
Patients who attended the inquiry to hear opening statements were left furious upon learning about the document destruction. The logbooks contained information relating to Eljamel's surgeries between 1995 and 2013, potentially providing critical evidence about his practices.
Legal Representatives Express Disbelief
Joanna Cherry, KC, who represents patients harmed by the rogue surgeon, told the inquiry that victims were 'appalled' by the revelations. She described how approximately 40 hard copy theatre logbooks were destroyed by NHS Tayside employees despite the formal preservation order.
'It beggars belief that this happened,' Cherry told inquiry chairman Lord Weir. She noted that patients had repeatedly raised concerns about potential tampering with medical records and suggested the destruction could only be explained by 'gross negligence or indeed possible malice.'
Cherry called for NHS Tayside's chief executive Nicky Connor to be instructed to provide answers, along with every staff member involved in the document destruction chain.
Health Board Offers Explanation and Apology
Una Doherty, KC, representing NHS Tayside, claimed the staff involved 'were not aware of the connection between the theatre logbooks and Mr Eljamel.' The health board issued a statement expressing deep regret for what it described as an error.
An NHS Tayside spokesman confirmed the logbooks dated from the 1960s onwards and contained information about surgeries performed by multiple staff members over decades. The board acknowledged the destruction occurred after the formal preservation order and stated an internal investigation had been conducted.
The spokesman explained that the destruction was carried out in accordance with NHS and Scottish Government document retention policies, and the individuals involved were unaware of the logbooks' relevance to the inquiry. NHS Tayside has since issued renewed instructions to staff about identifying and preserving documents related to Eljamel.
Tory MSP Liz Smith expressed the widespread anger, stating: 'There are no words that can express the anger and despair of the patients and their families.' She emphasized the importance of the public inquiry in uncovering the truth and holding responsible parties accountable.
Eljamel was suspended in 2019 and resigned in 2020. He has since returned to his native Libya, where he continues to practice surgery, and has refused to participate in the inquiry despite attempts to contact him.
