• FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE •
23rd November 2023 @ 2300 – Eljamel Inquiry wins “Public Campaigner of the Year”
At last night’s ceremony for The Herald’s Scottish Politician of the Year Awards our campaign, led by Jules Rose, won the “Public Campaigner of the Year”. This publicly nominated award is given to an individual or group that has “best engaged with the political system to change legislation”.
Both Jules and Pat Kelly, another of the campaign’s key patients, were invited to attend the event but Pat was unable to attend due to his ongoing health issues. Jules was present to accept the award on behalf of all the patients, the families, and the supporters of our campaign. Liz Smith, MSP and key political supporter of the campaign was also present.
Talking about the win, Jules said:
“I’m thrilled to be receiving this award on behalf of the campaign; however, it is a bittersweet moment.
“While this has been a personal crusade for justice on my behalf, the most important tributes I have are for the patients and their families. They have never wavered in their determination to have their voices heard and a light shone on the wrongs they have suffered, and I couldn’t be prouder of them.
“But we must still fight on to ensure that the Public Inquiry delivers for everyone. To help patients, and their families, get the answers, care, and support that they no less deserve.
“I want to pay tribute to the cross-party group of MSPs who have worked tirelessly to help us achieve our goal. In particular to Liz Smith who, without her dedication and professionalism, we may never have achieved what we did.
“I believe that the Public Inquiry was granted so quickly because of our ability to expose the obvious scandalous, and shameful, nature of the failures at NHS Tayside. If it wasn’t for journalists investigating and fiercely willing to support us, we wouldn’t be where we are now. Exposing the plight of our patients and the shame that NHS Tayside has brought on itself.”
Speaking from his home, Pat said of the award:
“This category was nominated by the Public and this is another clear acknowledgement that the justice we seek is supported by the wider community – we all want to feel safe in our Scottish Hospitals. I’m sorry that I couldn’t be together with Jules on the night, as I was unable to attend due to ongoing health issues related to the harm caused by Eljamel. We will continue to fight to get the answers we deserve, and to make sure we can all feel safe.”
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As usual, we always believe that …
- to achieve transparent, unbiased, and honest answers.
- to have essential learning and enact real change.
- to hold to account those responsible.
- to help and support those patients living with what happened.
- to rebuild public trust in our healthcare organisations, to care for them, even now.
…is by having a thorough and independent Public Inquiry.
We must get to the truth as soon as possible,
to safeguard all patients who rely on healthcare in Scotland.
We are demanding a Public Inquiry that accomplishes these goals. We will not give up.
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Jules Rose (left) and Liz Smith (right), MSP, with the award.
Jim Fairlie (left), MSP, and Jules Rose (right) with the award.