The short version
- Twenty women at an NHS trust in north-east England had breasts removed unnecessarily during cancer treatment, according to new admissions by hospital leadership.
- A wider internal review has identified harm in hundreds of cases, with authorities investigating potential criminal offenses and significant clinical errors.
- Patients describe profound emotional distress and loss of confidence, while legal representatives call for a public inquiry into the trust's long-standing service failures.
County Durham and Darlington Foundation Trust has confirmed that twenty women underwent mastectomies that were not medically necessary while receiving cancer care at its breast unit. This admission marks a specific escalation in an ongoing crisis involving the NHS provider, which serves patients in north-east England. The trust acknowledged these cases as part of a larger pattern of harm affecting hundreds of individuals who sought treatment for breast cancer over recent years.
The revelation follows earlier reporting indicating that more than two hundred patients had suffered adverse outcomes due to failures within the trust’s services. Steve Russell, the chief executive appointed last year, expressed deep regret to those affected and their families. He stated that the organization failed to listen carefully enough and act sooner when opportunities arose to prevent harm. The leadership emphasized that significant changes have since been implemented to improve breast care standards.
An internal look-back exercise is currently underway to review past care records. This process aims to identify all patients who may have experienced harm and ensure they receive appropriate information and support. The trust board is scheduled to meet in public on September 24 to discuss the future scope and timeframe of this review. No final decisions regarding the extent or duration of the investigation have been made, and officials cautioned against pre-empting those discussions.
Data from the internal review highlights the scale of the issue. Of the five hundred fourteen cases examined so far, three hundred fifteen patients were found to have suffered harm. Among these, seventy-seven individuals experienced significant harm, and one patient is known to have died as a result of the failures. In some instances, cancer was missed entirely, allowing the disease to spread before it was detected. The trust is also reviewing cases from January 2023 to February 2025, along with records of six hundred forty former patients who contacted a special helpline.
Patients have described the emotional toll of learning their surgeries were unnecessary. One woman, referred to as Jo, recounted her shock upon discovering that further screening and biopsies would have revealed benign tissue in most areas. She noted that only a very small cancer existed in a large breast, meaning a mastectomy was not required. The loss of her breast left her feeling incomplete and devastated by the realization that the procedure could have been avoided.
Another patient, Denise Howarth, was diagnosed with stage one cancer in February 2023. After undergoing a lumpectomy and lymph node removal, she was told she still needed a mastectomy during a follow-up review. She proceeded with the surgery, followed by chemotherapy and radiation. Last September, the trust contacted her to inform her that the mastectomy had not been necessary. Howarth described the news as a bolt from the blue, arriving just as she was beginning to focus on her recovery after a difficult year marked by family losses.
Legal representatives are now advising several women who have undergone unnecessary surgeries. Rachel O’Connor of Hudgell Solicitors is calling for a public inquiry into the matter. She argued that breast cancer services should provide reassurance and exceptional care, but noted that deep-rooted, systematic failures at the trust have led to widespread suffering. The solicitor emphasized that apologies are insufficient given the life-changing nature of the harm inflicted on patients.
The National Crime Agency is working with Durham police to investigate allegations made by former patients. Authorities are determining whether any criminal offenses occurred during the period of care under review. The trust has maintained a dedicated support line for anyone with concerns about their breast care, providing a channel for ongoing communication with affected individuals. As the look-back continues, the focus remains on identifying all those impacted and ensuring they receive the necessary support and information.
The situation underscores broader challenges in healthcare accountability and patient safety. The trust’s admission of unnecessary surgeries highlights the critical importance of rigorous clinical review and transparent communication with patients. While improvements have been made to current services, the legacy of past failures continues to affect those who sought care during the period under investigation. The upcoming board meeting will likely provide further clarity on how the trust plans to address these systemic issues moving forward.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- The Guardian World↗Twenty women had breasts removed unnecessarily during NHS cancer care
