GMC statement following the decision of the High Court to dismiss the judicial review claim brought by Anaesthetists United Ltd
Responding to the decision of the High Court to dismiss the judicial review claim brought by Anaesthetists United Ltd and Marion and Brendan Chesterton, as supported by the British Medical Association a spokesperson for the General Medical Council, said: ‘Our thoughts remain with the Chesterton family.
‘Today, our regulation of associates — supported by a robust system of registration — ensures they are safer and better equipped to carry out their duties and can be held to account if they pose a risk to patients or public confidence.
‘We welcome the decision of the High Court to dismiss the claims on all grounds and we are pleased the Court found our approach when considering how we would regulate associates, and our decision not to impose limits on their practice, was ‘coherent and rational'.’
Additional information
The substantive hearing of this claim took place in May and June. Today, 5 September 2025, judgment was handed down by Mrs Justice Lambert DBE. This includes:
- Claims that the GMC failed to produce adequate standards and guidance concerning the safe supervision of associates by doctors were rejected by the court.
- Claims the GMC had not gone far enough to ensure associates told patients that they are not doctors were rejected by the court.
- The court referred to the GMC’s ‘extensive’ research programme which informed the development of professional standards and guidance applicable to associates.
- GMC provided the Leng Review’s recommendations to Mrs Justice Lambert DBE, and for reasons given in her judgment she determined that the contents were not relevant to the issues she was required to determine.
