NHS Trust Admits 20 Women Had Unnecessary Mastectomies After Breast Cancer Failures

County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust (CDDFT) has admitted that 20 women had their breasts removed unnecessarily after a review uncovered serious problems in its breast cancer service.

Of 514 cases examined at the time of the BBC's report, 315 patients were found to have suffered harm, including 77 who were significantly harmed, the trust said. The findings emerged alongside concerns raised by 640 former patients who contacted a dedicated helpline set up after failings in the service came to light.

Chief executive Steve Russell, who was appointed to the post last year, told the BBC's Today programme that the trust was 'deeply sorry' for the harm caused. The trust's board is due to meet publicly on Thursday, 24 September, to consider whether to extend the review to cases dating back to 2015, a move that could bring thousands more records into scope. No final decision has been made.

Patients Describe Their Experiences

Denise Howarth, 51, of Consett, County Durham, was diagnosed with stage one cancer in her left breast in February 2023. She underwent a lumpectomy and later a mastectomy, followed by chemotherapy and radiotherapy. A follow-up letter from CDDFT told her that a second lumpectomy could have been offered instead.

Separately, former breast surgeon Liz O'Riordan, who viewed photographs of another patient's scarring, described the scars as 'awful' and said she had never seen anything like them. 'That's not acceptable at all. I'd have brought her back for revision surgery,' she said.

Surgeon's Role and Private Work Probed

Much of the concern has centred on surgeon Amir Bhatti, whose clinical practice has been restricted by the trust while its investigation continues, although he remains employed by CDDFT. A High Court challenge to those restrictions was rejected.

Last year, the BBC reported that the trust had paid nearly £6 million over six years to breast cancer diagnostic clinics and surgery companies run privately by Bhatti. A 2025 external governance review by specialist Mary Aubrey said the outsourcing arrangements had created financial incentives that were potentially a risk to clinical standards. Russell said the arrangement 'wasn't managed properly' and that outsourcing had since ended for breast cancer services.

A Royal College of Surgeons review identified concerns about how breast cancer cases were discussed at multidisciplinary team meetings, where specialists consider patients' treatment options, as well as high rates of repeat operations and low uptake of immediate breast reconstruction, which reviewers said required improvement.

The National Crime Agency is working with Durham Police to assess allegations from former patients and establish whether any criminal offences may have been committed.

Former Patients Demand Answers

Former patients have formed a support group and are calling for a full public inquiry. Some say they want a clearer account of who made particular treatment decisions and why.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said the department's thoughts were with the women and families affected, but declined to comment further while investigations were ongoing.

CDDFT said its breast service has since undergone substantial changes, including new specialist surgeons, stronger multidisciplinary working and updated clinical guidance, as the trust and NHS England continue to assess the scale of the harm caused.