Cancer specialist refused to let disgraced colleague treat her tumour
Cancer specialist refused to let disgraced NHS colleague treat her brain tumour because ‘I didn’t trust the guy’
- Dr Phyllis Windsor was seen by Professor Sam Eljamel but became wary of him
A cancer specialist has told how she refused to let an NHS colleague treat her brain tumour because she did not trust him.
Dr Phyllis Windsor was seen by Professor Sam Eljamel in 2006 but immediately became wary of the surgeon and decided to seek treatment in London instead.
It would later emerge that Eljamel had repeatedly botched operations and left patients with life-changing injuries while he worked for NHS Tayside between 1995 and 2013.
Dr Windsor, 71, had her consultation with Eljamel after being diagnosed with a pituitary tumour. But the oncologist said her suspicions were raised when he said he could fully remove the tumour.
The surgeon also wanted to give her photodynamic therapy, which Dr Windsor says was not appropriate for her.
Dr Phyllis Windsor (pictured) was seen by Professor Sam Eljamel in 2006 but immediately became wary of the surgeon
Eljamel (pictured) had repeatedly botched operations and left patients with life-changing injuries while he worked for NHS Tayside between 1995 and 2013
She then sought treatment elsewhere, despite the fact she worked alongside Eljamel at NHS Tayside.
Dr Windsor said none of Eljamel’s colleagues held him to account even though he was repeatedly making mistakes.
The retired medic, who was employed by NHS Tayside for 28 years, now supports a public inquiry into the scandal and claims the culture at her old health board is ‘toxic’.
Speaking about her case yesterday, she said: ‘The tumour was operable but complete removal was impossible as it had grown into the bones at the base of my skull.
‘The standard treatment would have been a good partial removal followed by radiotherapy to prevent recurrence.
‘I didn’t trust the guy. There was no discussion. I don’t think he knew what he was doing.
‘I wasn’t going to let him anywhere near my head. Thank goodness I didn’t, now these stories have come out. I was fortunate I had the knowledge to not trust him.’
Campaigners are pushing for an inquiry into why Eljamel was able to harm patients for so long. Whistleblowers claim NHS chiefs were aware of concerns about him in 2009, four years before his suspension.
Dr Windsor sought treatment elsewhere, despite the fact she worked alongside Eljamel at NHS Tayside
Dr Windsor said none of Eljamel’s colleagues held him to account even though he was repeatedly making mistakes
One of his victims, Jules Rose. Eljamel was allowed to operate on Ms Rose despite bosses already having concerns about him, according to a BBC Scotland documentary in 2018
Ms Rose (pictured) previously said she feels like ‘one of the lucky ones’ following botched surgery which was meant to removed a brain tumour
Read more: Surgeon ‘removed mother’s tear gland instead of her brain TUMOUR before trying to cover up botched operation’
The Scottish Government has announced an independent commission into the disgraced surgeon but has stopped short of the full public inquiry his ex-patients are demanding.
One of his victims, Theresa Mallett, heckled First Minister Humza Yousaf last month during an SNP independence convention in Dundee.
Dr Windsor, from Kinfauns, Perthshire, backs a public inquiry and believes other senior medics must have been aware of Eljamel’s failings.
She said: ‘How on earth none of them knew how badly he was operating is beyond me. They would have been there to see what he was doing. None of them held him to account.
‘NHS Tayside possibly needs to be taken into special measures. I don’t think they’re capable of running a hospital.
‘I would not see anybody at NHS Tayside. The whole culture is toxic. That’s certainly what I left. I feel sorry for his victims. Most people have complete trust in doctors.’
NHS Tayside said: ‘Concerns were raised about Professor Eljamel in 2013. He was suspended in December 2013 and never returned to work in NHS Tayside. There have been three external reviews of Professor Eljamel’s practices. All have included recommendations to strengthen procedures and NHS Tayside has accepted and actioned all of these.’
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