Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service determination — other
Suspended from practice — 1 year
The regulator’s term: suspension
What does “suspended from practice” mean?
A suspension is a fixed-term pause on the right to practise. The practitioner cannot work in the regulated profession during the suspension. At the end of the period the suspension may be extended, replaced with another sanction, or lifted on review.
Concerning Joseph Rugemintwaza, doctor (General Medical Council 7004677).
Decision date: 6 February 2026 · Hearing started 6 January 2026 and ended 6 February 2026
In plain English
The MPTS tribunal found that Dr Joseph Rugemintwaza had not complied with a General Medical Council direction to undergo a Performance Assessment, after his NHS trust raised concerns about his clinical practice in 2023. Despite repeated requests over several months, he did not return the required forms. The tribunal found there was no good reason for the non-compliance and on 6 February 2026 directed that his registration be suspended for 12 months with a review hearing, and imposed an immediate order.
Charges
Non-compliance with a direction made under Rule 7(3) and Schedule 1 of the General Medical Council (Fitness to Practise) Rules 2004 to undertake a Performance Assessment, following concerns raised in a January 2025 referral from Shrewsbury and Telford NHS Trust. A June 2023 NHS Resolution Clinical Performance Assessment had identified poor performance in assessment of patient's condition, clinical management, use of resources, infection control, and maintaining professional performance. Despite repeated GMC requests between March and July 2025, Dr Rugemintwaza did not return the Work Details Form or complete the Assessment Portfolio.
Findings
The Tribunal found non-compliance proved. It rejected Dr Rugemintwaza's explanations that he did not understand the forms or that the GMC was not neutral, finding no good reason for non-compliance. It determined that the underlying performance concerns remained unassessed and the risk to public protection was high. The Tribunal directed suspension of his registration for 12 months with a review hearing, and imposed an immediate order revoking the existing Interim Order.
Source
All facts on this page are drawn from the publicly published Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service determination linked below. MedicWatch does not editorialise the regulator’s findings.
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