Rogue surgeon’s patient who heckled Humza Yousaf feels ‘let down’

A patient who heckled First Minister Humza Yousaf throughout an independence conference says she is “disgusted” by the response to her appeals.

Theresa Mallett, 61, has been left disabled and in fixed ache after an operation by rogue surgeon Sam Eljamel.

The first minister spoke to Ms Mallett after she known as for a public inquiry – however she has now written to him and NHS Tayside to say she feels “let down”.

The Scottish authorities stated it recognised former sufferers’ misery.

Ms Mallett introduced the SNP’s independence conference to a standstill when she heckled the primary minister final month.

Afterwards, she agreed to fulfill Mr Yousaf at her house in Glenrothes.

Ms Mallett informed the BBC he seemed to be listening to her requests for a public inquiry however then wrote her a letter which she says ignored their dialogue.

She stated she thought that he and the well being board had handled her “despicably” and described their response as “so disappointing”.

Ms Mallett informed the BBC Scotland: “When we met he stated a public inquiry was not off the desk.

“I stated I did not need an impartial assessment and did not need to cope with NHS Tayside.

“But after we met I got a phone call from the health board saying the first minister had been in touch with them.”

Sam Eljamel was the previous head of neurosurgery at NHS Tayside and a Scottish authorities adviser.

At the tip of 2013 Mr Eljamel was suspended by the well being board after which he was allowed to voluntarily take away himself from the GMC register and keep away from any disciplinary motion.

He now works as a surgeon in Libya.

Last yr a damning report highlighted failures in how NHS Tayside oversaw their head of neurosurgery.

And in April, Health Secretary Michael Matheson stated he would launch an impartial assessment of NHS Tayside in relation to the scandal. However, that assessment has not but begun.

More than 120 former sufferers who have been harmed by Eljamel have stated publicly that they don’t want an impartial assessment and can solely settle for a full public inquiry that appears at systemic and governance points.

Ms Mallett wrote collectively to the well being board and the primary minister to specific her dismay on the approach she feels she has been handled.

The grandmother says Mr Yousaf wrote to her suggesting she be a part of an impartial assessment of sufferers – one thing she and the opposite sufferers have already rejected.

She wrote: “I really feel let down by you Humza. Disgusted and disenchanted.

“This just isn’t an actual supply of assist. Do you really need me to be reviewed by these who harmed me?”

She says she “has been left with no life in any respect” and needs a public inquiry to look into systemic issues on the well being board,

In the letter, she says she felt the well being board “badgered and harassed” her and tried to place phrases into her mouth after they phoned her – which they informed her they did on the first minister’s behest.

Scottish Labour’s Jackie Baillie stated it was “a robust intervention” within the Eljamel saga.

“After months of refusing to carry an impartial inquiry, it now appears that the voices and experiences of sufferers are being shut out,” she stated.

“This is nothing wanting a betrayal of the ladies concerned.

“Humza Yousaf and Michael Matheson must end the neglect of the women failed in this scandal and do what is needed so that their voices are heard.”

The Scottish authorities stated the primary minister could be replying to Ms Mallett’s letter shortly.

A spokesperson stated: “He is conscious of the seriousness of this situation and has taken a private curiosity to find an answer, together with visiting Ms Mallett at her house to listen to from her straight.

“We recognise the numerous ongoing concern and misery being skilled by former sufferers of Professor Eljamel.

“When the primary minister met Ms Mallett, he outlined that the Scottish authorities has dedicated to establishing an impartial fee that would interact straight with former sufferers and ship solutions faster than a public inquiry would.

“We will present extra element on the scope of the fee shortly.”

NHS Tayside stated that it was unable to touch upon particular person sufferers attributable to patient confidentiality.

But it added: “NHS Tayside apologises to former sufferers of Professor Eljamel and stays dedicated to do no matter is required to help any impartial course of which is being arrange by Scottish authorities to reply to the continued considerations of those former sufferers.

“The board continues to work closely with the government regarding these next steps.”