'A butcher who destroyed my life': Surgeon may never return to UK to face justice over 'botched' operations

Surgeon Accused of Life-Changing Mistakes May Never Face UK Justice

Suspended from his post at a Dundee hospital in 2013, neurosurgeon Professor Sam Eljamel stands accused by dozens of former patients of performing life-changing "botched" brain and spinal operations. Patients claim the surgeon caused irreversible harm while working at NHS Tayside, leaving many with chronic pain, paralysis, and emotional trauma.

Former Patients Demand Justice

Many of Eljamel’s former patients describe their suffering as “a nightmare that never ends.” Some continue to seek justice more than a decade after the alleged malpractice. They maintain that their lives were destroyed by operations they trusted would heal them.

“He was a butcher who destroyed my life,” said one patient, stressing the lifelong damage caused by the failed surgery.

These victims argue that the healthcare system failed to hold him accountable, as he was allowed to continue operating even after early warnings about his performance.

Government and Legal Barriers

Eljamel left the United Kingdom shortly after being suspended and is believed to reside abroad, complicating any legal proceedings. Efforts to bring him back to Britain have faced bureaucratic and jurisdictional obstacles, leaving victims frustrated and disillusioned.

Scottish authorities continue to face pressure for a public inquiry into how Eljamel was allowed to operate for so long. NHS Tayside and the Scottish Government have both expressed regret for the suffering caused but have yet to provide a clear path forward for justice.

Calls for Reform

Campaigners insist that the scandal highlights systemic weaknesses in medical oversight. They warn that accountability gaps could allow similar cases to occur again unless structural reforms are made to protect patients and ensure transparency in handling medical misconduct.

“We will not stop until he faces justice,” one group representative said.

Author’s summary: The story examines how victims of surgeon Sam Eljamel’s alleged malpractice continue to fight for justice as legal and bureaucratic barriers prevent his return to the UK.

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Sky News on MSN Sky News on MSN — 2025-11-30

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