A London GP who was formerly the leader of a now-banned Islamist group has had his suspension lifted by the NHS.
NHS London confirmed that Dr Wahid Shaida, who practised at the GP Direct surgery in Harrow, was able to return to practise following an investigation and hearing earlier this month.
Dr Shaida was suspended from the NHS primary care performers list in January for leading the UK branch of Hizb ut-Tahrir, a group which has since been proscribed by the UK Government after ministers claimed the group was antisemitic.
An NHS England panel found insufficient evidence to warrant removing Dr Shaida from the performers’ list, and that there was no evidence that he had been involved with Hizb ut-Tahrir since it was proscribed.
The panel decided that Dr Shaida could return to practise subject to conditions imposed for both staff and patients to ensure a safe return to practise.
Although he was suspended from the NHS primary care performers list, he remained on the GMC register.
His profile remains absent from the GP Direct website, but it previously said he had worked at the practice since 2002.
A spokesperson for NHS London said: ‘We take any issues relating to professional conduct seriously and have procedures in place to make sure that individuals are fit to work in the NHS.
‘Following a thorough investigation, the evidence regarding Dr Shaida’s conduct and practice was considered by an NHS England panel at an oral hearing on 11 July, in accordance with regulations and published policy. No evidence was found that he has had involvement with Hizb ut-Tahrir since the organisation was proscribed.
‘The panel found there was insufficient evidence to warrant removing Dr Shaida from the performers’ list, but decided that conditions should be imposed, to manage a safe return to practice, for both staff and patients. Dr Shaida is therefore able to return to practice, subject to those conditions.’
Dr Shaida declined to comment directly. However employment lawyer Jahad Rahman, from Rahman Lowe Solicitors, who represented Dr Shaida during the proceedings, said he was ‘very pleased’ for his client.
‘Dr Shaida is a well-respected doctor who is committed to his profession and the patients he serves. Unfortunately, his entire working life was called into question for simply manifesting his political, religious and philosophical beliefs, and because he criticised discriminatory policies of the Israeli state,’ he said.
‘This is an important case and the outcome sends a clear message to those who seek to weaponise regulatory processes such as this, that their bullying tactics will not go unchallenged, and that the truth will always prevail.
‘We sincerely hope others will take from this outcome not to be intimidated by those who seek to silence them from legitimate expression about important issues.’
