NHS Tayside boss tells Eljamel inquiry: ‘I won’t resign over destroyed logbooks’

The chief executive of NHS Tayside has personally apologised for the destruction of theatre logbooks, potentially related to disgraced surgeon Sam Eljamel, but said she had no intention of resigning.

Eljamel, who is believed to have harmed hundreds of patients, was a consultant neurosurgeon at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee from 1995 until his suspension in December 2013.

The Eljamel public inquiry, external previously heard that 40 theatre logbooks were destroyed in July 2025 despite an order not to do so.

Nicky Connor told the inquiry that she accepted the failing had “compounded and exacerbated distress” for patients.”

Connor added: “I have met directly with patients and they have explained to me directly the impact of trauma, including the most-recent logbook incident.

“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 theatre logbooks, which included included the years 1995 to 2013, were destroyed despite a do not destroy (DND) notice having been in place since October 2024.

A subsequent independent report, external into the incident said the blunder was the result of “inadequate systems and processes” rather than deliberate wrongdoing.

Following his suspension, Eljamel resigned in 2014 and is now believed to be operating in Libya.