A Kinross resident, profoundly impacted by the actions of former NHS Tayside neurosurgeon Sam Eljamel, has taken a significant step forward in the pursuit of justice, presenting a comprehensive dossier of fresh evidence to Police Scotland. Jules Rose, a dedicated campaigner, personally delivered the 14-page document to the Tayside headquarters in Bell Street, Dundee, marking her third submission concerning the management and conduct of the disgraced medical professional.
Ms. Rose’s unwavering resolve is rooted in a deep belief that those in positions of power who allowed Eljamel to inflict life-altering harm upon numerous patients must be held accountable. Her statement, delivered outside the police headquarters, echoed the sentiments of many affected individuals: “They should not escape accountability. They feel they’re invincible but I’m 100% convinced this will pinpoint certain individuals that allowed Eljamel to commit his butchery to more than 200 patients.” Intensifying Investigation: Operation Stringent
The latest evidence submission comes amidst an escalating police investigation, known as Operation Stringent. Initiated in September 2018 following initial complaints about Eljamel’s conduct, the case was dramatically upgraded to a “major investigation” last October. This came on the heels of a Scottish Government directive for a public inquiry into the widespread scandal, a move strongly supported by patient advocacy groups and local media, including The Courier newspaper.
The meticulous work of Police Scotland in gathering and reviewing evidence is crucial for individuals and families across Perth and Kinross who have suffered. Many are hoping that this intensified probe will finally shed light on the systemic failures that allowed such practices to continue for years. The Battle Against the ‘Time Bar’
Ms. Rose’s pivotal meeting with law enforcement unfolded on the very day First Minister John Swinney addressed critical questions in the Scottish Parliament regarding the ‘time bar’—a legal provision that has historically prevented many of Eljamel’s victims from pursuing compensation claims against NHS Tayside. This legal constraint typically limits the timeframe within which civil cases can be brought before the courts, but campaigners argue that the unique circumstances and delayed revelations surrounding the Eljamel case warrant its suspension.
Liz Smith, a prominent MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, a region encompassing Perth and Kinross, has been a steadfast advocate for the affected patients. With a decade of experience supporting the campaigners, she pressed the government to reconsider the application of the time bar. Ms. Smith articulated the core grievance, stating, “NHS Tayside seems to have lost some medical records and covered up some issues that they shouldn’t have covered up. I am very clear that the patients who I represent have not had all the information that they need from NHS Tayside to be able to complete the understanding of what went wrong, why it went wrong, who was responsible and therefore they have to be held to account. So the question about raising the time bar is to allow that evidence which goes back in many cases beyond the three year period to come out and be scrutinised and that will be very important in providing some of the answers that the patients so richly deserve.”
The MSP further emphasized the need for a pragmatic approach, remarking on the First Minister’s response: “John Swinney was quite right today when he said that each case has to be looked at on its own merits. But there are clearly patients who want that time bar lifted on their own specific case and that should be allowed to happen now. I don’t see any reason why NHS Tayside should cover up any more.” Government and NHS Tayside Respond
Responding to parliamentary scrutiny, First Minister John Swinney asserted the government’s “clear expectation” that NHS Tayside should evaluate each legal claim individually. He reiterated that the courts possess the authority to override the time bar if they deem it appropriate, offering a glimmer of hope to those seeking redress.
A spokesperson for NHS Tayside confirmed their ongoing cooperation with Police Scotland’s Operation Stringent, stating, “NHS Tayside continues to fully cooperate with Police Scotland’s Operation Stringent investigation. Due to patient confidentiality we are unable to comment on individual cases. Legal claims are considered on a case-by-case basis.”
For many residents and families in Perth and Kinross, who placed their trust in the healthcare system, the unfolding investigation represents a critical juncture. The efforts of campaigners like Jules Rose and the steadfast advocacy of local representatives such as Liz Smith underscore a collective demand for transparency, justice, and the assurance that such systemic failings will never recur within Scotland’s national health service. The community remains watchful, anticipating concrete outcomes from the ongoing police probe and the public inquiry, hoping for a resolution that honours the suffering of all those affected.
Ms. Rose’s unwavering resolve is rooted in a deep belief that those in positions of power who allowed Eljamel to inflict life-altering harm upon numerous patients must be held accountable. Her statement, delivered outside the police headquarters, echoed the sentiments of many affected individuals: “They should not escape accountability. They feel they’re invincible but I’m 100% convinced this will pinpoint certain individuals that allowed Eljamel to commit his butchery to more than 200 patients.” Intensifying Investigation: Operation Stringent
The latest evidence submission comes amidst an escalating police investigation, known as Operation Stringent. Initiated in September 2018 following initial complaints about Eljamel’s conduct, the case was dramatically upgraded to a “major investigation” last October. This came on the heels of a Scottish Government directive for a public inquiry into the widespread scandal, a move strongly supported by patient advocacy groups and local media, including The Courier newspaper.
The meticulous work of Police Scotland in gathering and reviewing evidence is crucial for individuals and families across Perth and Kinross who have suffered. Many are hoping that this intensified probe will finally shed light on the systemic failures that allowed such practices to continue for years. The Battle Against the ‘Time Bar’
Ms. Rose’s pivotal meeting with law enforcement unfolded on the very day First Minister John Swinney addressed critical questions in the Scottish Parliament regarding the ‘time bar’—a legal provision that has historically prevented many of Eljamel’s victims from pursuing compensation claims against NHS Tayside. This legal constraint typically limits the timeframe within which civil cases can be brought before the courts, but campaigners argue that the unique circumstances and delayed revelations surrounding the Eljamel case warrant its suspension.
Liz Smith, a prominent MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, a region encompassing Perth and Kinross, has been a steadfast advocate for the affected patients. With a decade of experience supporting the campaigners, she pressed the government to reconsider the application of the time bar. Ms. Smith articulated the core grievance, stating, “NHS Tayside seems to have lost some medical records and covered up some issues that they shouldn’t have covered up. I am very clear that the patients who I represent have not had all the information that they need from NHS Tayside to be able to complete the understanding of what went wrong, why it went wrong, who was responsible and therefore they have to be held to account. So the question about raising the time bar is to allow that evidence which goes back in many cases beyond the three year period to come out and be scrutinised and that will be very important in providing some of the answers that the patients so richly deserve.”
The MSP further emphasized the need for a pragmatic approach, remarking on the First Minister’s response: “John Swinney was quite right today when he said that each case has to be looked at on its own merits. But there are clearly patients who want that time bar lifted on their own specific case and that should be allowed to happen now. I don’t see any reason why NHS Tayside should cover up any more.” Government and NHS Tayside Respond
Responding to parliamentary scrutiny, First Minister John Swinney asserted the government’s “clear expectation” that NHS Tayside should evaluate each legal claim individually. He reiterated that the courts possess the authority to override the time bar if they deem it appropriate, offering a glimmer of hope to those seeking redress.
A spokesperson for NHS Tayside confirmed their ongoing cooperation with Police Scotland’s Operation Stringent, stating, “NHS Tayside continues to fully cooperate with Police Scotland’s Operation Stringent investigation. Due to patient confidentiality we are unable to comment on individual cases. Legal claims are considered on a case-by-case basis.”
For many residents and families in Perth and Kinross, who placed their trust in the healthcare system, the unfolding investigation represents a critical juncture. The efforts of campaigners like Jules Rose and the steadfast advocacy of local representatives such as Liz Smith underscore a collective demand for transparency, justice, and the assurance that such systemic failings will never recur within Scotland’s national health service. The community remains watchful, anticipating concrete outcomes from the ongoing police probe and the public inquiry, hoping for a resolution that honours the suffering of all those affected.