DOCTORS FACE FASTER SUSPENSION – Regulator given power to suspend medics over antisemitism allegations
Wes Streeting has agreed to reforms that will make it quicker and easier to suspend anti-Semitic and racist doctors.
The overhaul will give regulators new powers to suspend doctors who demonstrate racist or anti-Jewish views, but have previously been able to continue work.
The biggest reforms to the General Medical Council (GMC) in 40 years will also mean that doctors who have committed sexual abuse more than five years ago can be punished.
The Health Secretary supported the reforms after expressing his anger last year at doctors who were not punished for anti-Semitism allegations.
This included Dr Rahmeh Aladwan, who was allowed to keep working for the NHS and practising medicine despite making a “slit your throat” gesture to Jewish people and posting anti-Semitic tirades on social media. She has since been suspended, but denied making racist or hateful comments.
It led Mr Streeting to ask regulators to explain “why they are failing so publicly and abysmally in their responsibility to protect Jewish staff and Jewish patients”.
