Jason Leitch’s defence medical appointment criticised over past oversight concerns
Professor Jason Leitch has been appointed Chief of Defence Medical at the Ministry of Defence, prompting criticism from patient campaigners over his past roles and conduct. The appointment matters because the post involves leading military healthcare, while questions remain about oversight of care at NHS Tayside and Leitch’s deletion of Covid-related messages.
Leitch is due to start on 2 November and will lead Defence Medical Command, preparing healthcare services for future military operations. Campaigner Jules Rose, who was harmed by surgeon Sam Eljamel, raised concerns about Leitch’s association with Tayside, where Eljamel is thought to have harmed as many as 200 people, and about the deletion of WhatsApp messages during the pandemic. The MOD cited Leitch’s experience in clinical leadership and health policy; Leitch said his first priority would be to listen and understand the needs of personnel and patients.
- Jason Leitch has been appointed Chief of Defence Medical.
- Campaigners cite concerns over Tayside oversight and deleted Covid messages.
- He is due to take up the role on 2 November.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Leitch’s experience in clinical leadership and health policy could be valuable in a role responsible for preparing military healthcare for future operations. The Ministry of Defence may reasonably judge that his record equips him to lead, while his stated intention to listen to personnel and patients offers a basis for addressing concerns in the post.
The case against
The appointment may reasonably be questioned because the post carries responsibility for the care of service personnel, while concerns remain about oversight of care at NHS Tayside and Leitch’s deletion of Covid-related messages. Patient campaigners may argue that these issues warrant closer scrutiny of his accountability and suitability before he takes on another senior healthcare leadership role.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “Fury as health chief who deleted Covid WhatsApps handed top job… in defence”.