Eljamel Inquiry and Independent Clinical Review

Muftah Salem Eljamel worked as a neurosurgeon at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee between 1995 and 2013. He was suspended by NHS Tayside following concerns raised by patients.

Two investigations have been established: a public inquiry led by Lord Weir and an independent clinical review led by Professor Stephen Wigmore.
The Eljamel Inquiry is a Scottish public inquiry set up under the Inquiries Act 2005. It relates to the professional practice of Mr Eljamel and will investigate:

  • The appointment of Mr Eljamel to various professional positions he held between 1995 and 2014, his clinical supervision and suspension in 2013 and his resignation on 31 May 2014;
  • When concerns about Mr Eljamel were raised and how those concerns were responded to by NHS Tayside and those working for it;
  • Whether important information about Mr Eljamel’s professional practice was concealed by him and/or NHS Tayside; and
  • Whether the actions taken by NHS Tayside and other relevant organisations and the systems that they had in place were adequate to protect patients.

The independent clinical review (ICR) will give former patients, or a relative or representative authorised to participate on their behalf, the opportunity to have a personalised review of the care and treatment they received.

Both of these investigations are independent of NHS Tayside and have their own dedicated, independent websites which you can visit at the links below.

NHS Tayside position on timebar for legal claims relating to Eljamel

At its Board meeting on 26 February, 2026 NHS Tayside gave full support for a new approach to time bar for former patients of Mr Eljamel.

In view of the fact that former patients of Mr Eljamel have learned about issues regarding his practice at different times, and from different sources, and given that there is an ongoing casenote review, the Board agreed unanimously that NHS Tayside will now reset the time bar clock from today. This is in respect of treatment which may have involved negligence by Mr Eljamel, or those he supervised.

This means that NHS Tayside will not apply time bar in respect of any claim by patients of Mr Eljamel during the period of three years from today.

As a result, the barriers as described by the patients to us, which were stopping them pursuing a claim with legal representatives, have been removed. Patients can now take immediate steps to start their discussions with legal advisors.

NHS Tayside
27 February 2026