NHS Trauma Doctor Barred from Practice Amid Social Media Investigation
A doctor working within the National Health Service has been suspended from practising for 15 months while authorities investigate a series of alleged antisemitic social media posts. The Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) imposed the interim suspension on Dr Rahmeh Aladwan, a 31-year-old British Palestinian trainee in trauma and orthopaedics.
Serious Allegations and Tribunal Findings
The General Medical Council (GMC) is conducting the investigation after receiving numerous complaints, including from the Jewish Medical Association UK and the Campaign Against Antisemitism. During the tribunal hearing, GMC counsel Emma Gilsenan outlined the severity of the accusations. She stated that Dr Aladwan's online activity allegedly included content that "justifies terrorism, denies sexual violence, includes antisemitic conspiracy theories, misuses Holocaust and Nazi imagery and expresses support for proscribed groups and terrorist acts".
Specific allegations presented to the tribunal claimed that Dr Aladwan referred to the Royal Free hospital in London as a "Jewish supremacy cesspit" and expressed explicit support for proscribed organisations such as Hamas and Palestine Action. It was also alleged that she doxed NHS colleagues who had raised concerns about her online behaviour.
Conflicting Submissions and a Changed Position
Dr Aladwan's legal representative, Kevin Saunders, contested the characterisation of the posts, submitting that they "fell into the category of legitimate political speech and debate" and that his client denied making any racist or hate speech. He argued there was no evidence suggesting she presented a "real and immediate risk to patient safety".
This marks a reversal from a previous MPTS decision in September, which declined to impose interim conditions on her registration. However, tribunal chair Lee Davies explained that "additional information" had since emerged which "may indicate an escalation in the tone and nature of Dr Aladwan’s activities and posts, which may be considered to be extreme, offensive and antisemitic".
Impact on Public Confidence and Professional Standards
In delivering the suspension ruling, Mr Davies emphasised that the alleged conduct could severely damage trust. He stated it "may impact on patient confidence in both her and the profession and patients may be discouraged from seeking treatment from her". The tribunal acknowledged Dr Aladwan's right to freedom of expression but highlighted its concern over comments which allegedly "support and celebrate terrorist acts and organisations, and promote violent action and offensive Jewish tropes".
The 15-month interim suspension order took effect immediately and is set to be reviewed within six months. This case unfolds against a backdrop of broader concern, with Health Secretary Wes Streeting having publicly criticised the current medical regulatory system for "completely failing to protect Jewish patients and NHS staff" and pledging to overhaul how such cases are investigated.
