Two disgraced surgeons, Sam Eljamel and Tony Dixon, have caused widespread harm to hundreds of patients through rogue operations and faulty medical procedures. Sam Eljamel, former head of neurosurgery at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee until December 2013, harmed hundreds of patients with rogue operations, according to reports. NHS Tayside lifted the three-year timebar, allowing victims previously locked out to claim damages, as stated by officials.
Thomsons Solicitors estimates compensation claims against NHS Tayside will exceed £100m, the firm said. Ninewells logbooks were destroyed two months prior to a public inquiry in November, according to sources. NHS Tayside told the inquiry it deeply regretted the destruction, which occurred because staff were unaware of their connection to Eljamel, the inquiry heard.
Victims held crunch talks with health chiefs and met with First Minister John Swinney, according to reports. Tony Dixon's artificial bowel mesh procedures injured more than 450 patients, according to medical records. 12m so far to 245 claimants related to Dixon's mesh surgeries, the agency confirmed.
Tony Dixon was removed from the medical register last year for serious misconduct, according to the General Medical Council. Tony Dixon has declined to comment, his representative said. It remains unknown how many total victims of Sam Eljamel will come forward now that the timebar is lifted, and what the exact total compensation paid or expected for Tony Dixon's victims will be.
The public inquiry into Eljamel's conduct may or may not result in criminal charges, and the specific actions leading to the destruction of Ninewells logbooks and who was responsible are still unclear. There are also questions about ongoing investigations into other surgeons using similar mesh techniques.