GP with 2,500 patients kills himself

There's a grim, rarely talked-about twist to all that medical know-how where doctors learn to save lives: It makes them especially good at ending their own.

A family GP hanged himself after being unable to cope with his growing workload of patients, an inquest has heard.

Dr Jyotimrmay Datta, 58, crumbled under the pressure of working until midnight some nights - and regularly at weekends - for an astounding 2,500 patients on his own at his practice. He penned two farewell letters to his wife Anne, who had not suspected anything was wrong with her husband of 19 years.

He then hanged himself from a banister at the family home while Anne and their two children slept soundly upstairs. His wife found his body in the early hours of April 21 this year. Giving evidence at the inquest in Hull, Anne described how her husband had hinted that he was finding it impossible to cope with his staggering workload. She said: "He was under a lot of pressure at work; he had 2,500 patients to deal with.Some nights he didn't come home till gone midnight. He was also working many weekends. He was bringing his work home with him." 

Just four days before his death he said to Anne, who also worked at the surgery: "I don't know how much longer I can keep doing it."

On April 20, Anne had slept in their son's room because he had been ill, and had no idea of her husband's intentions until she went downstairs and found his body the next day. Distraught Anne called for an ambulance but he was pronounced dead at the scene. The inquest also heard that the GP, described as a 'private and proud man', was under serious financial stress.

Think there is no way out? There is. Life can be different if you take charge and decide to make things different. Speak to a spiritual counsellor at your local UCKG or call the 24 hour helpline on 020 7686 6000 now to help you get started.

Released on Thursday, 14th August 2008

Source and picture: www.dailymail.co.uk