Nicky Connor, chief executive of NHS Tayside, has personally apologized for the destruction of theatre logbooks that may be connected to disgraced neurosurgeon Sam Eljamel, but has stated she has no intention of resigning. Eljamel, who is believed to have harmed hundreds of patients, worked as a consultant neurosurgeon at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee from 1995 until his suspension in December 2013.
The public inquiry into Eljamel previously heard that 40 theatre logbooks were destroyed in July 2025, despite a directive not to do so. Connor acknowledged to the inquiry that this failure "compounded and exacerbated distress" for patients.
"I have met directly with patients and they have explained to me directly the impact of trauma, including the most-recent logbook incident," Connor said. "There is no doubt in my mind that that has eroded trust and had a significant impact on patients, for which I'm deeply sorry."
The logbooks in question, which covered the years 1995 to 2013, were destroyed even though a "do not destroy" notice had been in effect since October 2024. A subsequent independent report into the incident attributed the destruction to "inadequate systems and processes" rather than intentional wrongdoing.
Following his suspension in 2013, Eljamel resigned in 2014 and is now reported to be practicing in Libya.