A review of patient care at County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust has found that 78 women suffered moderate or severe harm, while more than 30 women underwent unnecessary surgery, including mastectomies in some cases.
The trust is examining cases from January 2023 to February 2025. Figures reported on 2 September show that 539 cases had been reviewed, with 59 resulting in moderate harm and 19 in severe harm. A further 242 cases involved minor harm, while 20 included delayed diagnoses.
Trust board to decide whether review should go further
The trust board is due to meet in public on 24 September to consider whether the “look-back” review should be expanded. The proposed extension could cover thousands more cases dating back to 2015.
No final decision has been made. The trust said the review is intended to identify patients who may have suffered harm and ensure they receive appropriate information and support.
Amelia Green, from Pink Justice Network, the patient-led group established for women affected by the failings, said an extended review could provide answers for more patients but argued that it should go back further.
“I think it would cover a lot more ground. It would give a lot more women the answers they should have but it isn't really enough.”
She said the trust needed to learn from past mistakes and would not be able to do so if the review did not go back far enough.
Consett woman describes impact of unnecessary mastectomy
Denise Howarth, 51, from Consett, was diagnosed with stage-one cancer in her left breast in February 2023. She underwent a lumpectomy and had lymph nodes removed, but was later told at a follow-up review that she needed a mastectomy.
Ms Howarth, a mother of two represented by Hudgell Solicitors, subsequently had the mastectomy, followed by chemotherapy and radiology treatment. In September last year, County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust contacted her to say the mastectomy had not been necessary.
“They called me at home to say I needn’t have had my breast removed and it was something which really knocked me off my feet, I was completely shocked.”
She said the experience had caused a lasting impact on her confidence and identity.
“An apology is not enough. This is life-changing.”
Ms Howarth said losing a breast had a significant effect on her as a woman and that she feared she would never be the same person, despite trying to remain strong.
Trust says breast-service changes are being made
Steve Russell, who became the trust’s chief executive last year, apologised to the women and families affected. He said there had been opportunities when the trust should have listened more carefully and acted sooner.
The trust said significant changes had been made to its breast service and were improving care. It also said the look-back work was continuing and that the board would provide a further update after its public meeting.
The trust’s dedicated support line for people with concerns about their breast care is 0191 333 2126. Concerns can also be sent to [email protected].
Rachel O’Connor, from Hudgell Solicitors’ medical negligence team, said the firm was advising several women who had been told surgeries were unnecessary and called for a public inquiry.
Mary Kelly Foy, Labour MP for Durham City, said the priority was to establish the full scale of what happened, provide affected women with answers and support, and demonstrate that changes would prevent similar harm in future.