Family of doctor who took his own life under GMC investigation appeal to Supreme Court

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By Daniel Pye

The family of a doctor who took his own life while under investigation by the General Medical Council has applied to appeal at the Supreme Court.

The appeal application, over whether the regulator has a duty of care towards doctors it is investigating, is being backed by the British Medical Association (BMA).

Last month the Court of Appeal ruled the General Medical Council does not have a duty of care when it is investigating. It is this ruling the family of consultant anaesthetist Dr Sridharan Suresh is seeking permission to appeal.

The Court of Appeal hearing came after the claimants lost their original case in the High Court in April 2025.

The Court of Appeal case heard that Suresh died by suicide in May 2018 hours after receiving an email from the GMC stating it had opened an investigation into his fitness to practise, and a tribunal hearing had been arranged.