Dr John Roylance, former chief executive of the United Bristol Healthcare NHS Trust, will appeal against the General Medical Council's decision to bar him from working in the medical profession.

He and two other doctors were found guilty of serious professional misconduct by the GMC in connection with the deaths of the children following heart surgery at the hospital between 1988 and 1995.

The GMC ruled that surgeons James Wisheart and Janardan Dhasmana continued to operate on children despite their poor success rate and without sufficient regard to the safety and best interests of their patients.

The GMC told Dr Roylance, who is now retired, that he should have stopped the surgeons operating when colleagues made clear their concerns about the number of children who had died.

Public inquiry

Health Secretary Frank Dobson has launched a public inquiry into the case, which has stirred up much debate in the medical profession.

Dr Roylance is appealing, although he has retired

It is worried that public outrage at the deaths will provoke moves for more government intervention in the regulation of doctors.

The profession currently regulates itself.