County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust revealed last week that they were carrying out an internal review of their breast cancer services following concerns that at least 20 patients between 2023 and 2025 had undergone unnecessary mastectomies.
Following an extraordinary board meeting today, attended by members of the public, bosses at the Trust announced that the scope of the review is being expanded and a further 4,500 cases dating back to 2015 will be examined. At the meeting, board chair Alison Marshall said: “I would like to offer a sincere apology to all the women and their families who have been affected by the failings in our breast services”.
Of the 538 cases that have been reviewed so far, 321 patients have experienced some form of harm, with 77 having experienced significant harm, including one death. It is understood that concerns regarding the care and management of women from the breast cancer service were first raised in 2015 and predominantly relate to excessive surgery and delays in diagnosis.
CL Medilaw Partner and clinical negligence specialist in our Leeds team, Catherine Slattery, believes the decision to review patients dating back to 2015 is a significant step.
“It is essential that individuals and their families are fully supported throughout this process so they can get the answers they need and understand whether the care they received was appropriate. The investigation must move forward as quickly as possible, providing clarity on what went wrong and ensuring that anyone affected receives the right follow-up and support.
“Our team has extensive experience assisting families with concerns about delays in breast cancer diagnosis and treatment, as well as cases where incorrect care may have been provided. We are here to offer compassionate guidance and clear legal advice to support you and your family.”
Support available to families
A wider review such as this can be deeply unsettling for those affected and their families. Our specialist cancer team understand the impact this can have and provide compassionate support, clear guidance and expert legal advice. If you have questions about the treatment you received or would like to better understand your options, we are here to listen and help you navigate the next steps with confidence.
Call us for a free initial chat on 0345 241 0154 or email enquiries@clmedilaw.co.uk
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