What's happened
The Eljamel public inquiry has heard that theatre logbooks linked to the convicted surgeon were destroyed despite a do-not-destroy order. NHS Tayside chief executive Nicky Connor has acknowledged that the incident has eroded trust and caused distress to patients. The inquiry is examining the broader failures in documentation and the accountability of NHS bodies.
What's behind the headline?
What this changes for readers
- The case underscores long-standing issues in medical record-keeping and accountability in healthcare boards.
- Readers should watch how NHS Tayside reforms governance and how the inquiry threads together patient harms with administrative failures.
What to expect next
- The inquiry will hear further evidence from NHS Tayside, the government, and independent reviewers, with patients’ testimonies possibly shaping criticism of transparency.
- The timeline may shift as independent reviews are completed and more documents are located.
How we got here
The inquiry follows decades of concerns about surgeon Imran Eljamel, who harmed hundreds of patients in Scotland during his tenure at Ninewells Hospital. A 2024 order forbidding destruction of theatre logbooks was issued by Lord Weir; an external review found inadequate systems rather than malice. Connor, since July 2024, has faced scrutiny over governance at NHS Tayside.
Our analysis
BBC Business: Connor says the missing logbooks have eroded trust; The Scotsman: public inquiry invites evidence; Sky News: phase hearings detail patient injuries and calls for evidence; The Scotsman (two pieces): delays and accountability highlighted by Jamie Dawson KC.
Go deeper
- What new governance measures is NHS Tayside adopting to prevent future record failures?
- When will the independent clinical reviews be completed and presented to the inquiry?
- Could these logbook losses affect compensation for patients?
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