The initial hearings of the inquiry into former brain surgeon Sam Eljamel are scheduled to proceed in September, following a delay earlier this year. Lord Weir, who is overseeing the inquiry, confirmed that stage one of the proceedings will take place as planned after being postponed from April due to safety concerns at the venue.

The hearings were originally set for April at Waverley Gate in Edinburgh, but were deferred after it was determined that the building posed a significant risk. Senior counsel to the inquiry, Jamie Dawson KC, noted that it was only in February that Lord Weir became aware of the potential danger to safety, prompting the postponement.

Lord Weir stated that preparations are now underway to move forward with the inquiry. He has instructed his team to begin contacting witnesses expected to testify, with the aim of issuing a provisional timetable for the September hearings by next week.

Sam Eljamel worked at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee until 2013. He has been accused of causing harm to numerous patients during his tenure. The inquiry aims to investigate the circumstances surrounding his medical practice and the impact on those affected.