Hospital Review Identifies Inappropriate Treatment and Unnecessary Breast Surgery
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Jodi Newton
The County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust (CDDFT) has admitted to the BBC that 20 women underwent mastectomies (removal of the breast) which were unnecessary while being treated for breast cancer.
Having undertaken an internal review of cases over a 2-year period the Trust believes this to be part of a pattern of poor care, which has caused harm to patients.
CDDFT Breast Services Review in numbers
- The Trust has reviewed care provided to 514 patients
- 315 patients were found to have suffered harm
- 77 patients experienced significant harm
- 1 patient died
The CDDFT internal review covers treatment from January 2023 to February 2025, plus 640 former patients who contacted a dedicated helpline. The review may be extended back to 2015. The concern is that the root cause of these incidents of harm lies in systemic governance concerns rather than any isolated error.
The review observed that there was an unusually high mastectomy rate, with procedures being done “too quickly” and missed or delayed diagnoses that in some cases may have allowed cancer to spread. It also references criticism that cases were not being properly discussed in multi-disciplinary team (MDT) settings, which is a key safety control for major cancer surgery decisions.
A BBC investigation identified that breast care was being outsourced by CDDFT to private clinics run by the breast cancer clinical lead, Mr Amir Bhatti. This raises the question as to whether there was a conflict of interests or inappropriate financial incentives which may have impacted treatment decisions. CDDFT have now ended those arrangements. The BBC documentaries concerning the scandal are available here on iPlayer.
The National Crime Agency is working with Durham Police to assess allegations and whether any criminal offences occurred, and affected women are calling for a public inquiry.
Mr Amir Bhatti, who was the clinical lead between 2013 and 2024, was suspended from clinical practice by CDDFT but has not been subject to any regulatory proceedings by the General Medical Council (GMC). He remains employed on full pay. In May this year the High Court refused an application to have his suspension lifted by CDDFT.
The Trust has a dedicated support line which remains available to anyone with concerns about their breast care on 0191 333 2126 or at cddft.breastservices@nhs.net. The Trust is meeting on 24 September 2026 in public to discuss the future scope of the review and timescales.
How we can help
Jodi Newton, Partner in the Osbornes Law medical negligence team has acted in successful cases for multiple women with breast cancer who have received a late diagnosis with life-changing consequences on their treatment options.
If you believe your diagnosis or treatment may have been compromised, please contact us for a confidential consultation. You can call us directly on 0207 482 8460 or by email to jodi.newton@osborneslaw.com. Alternatively, please contact us by completing our online enquiry form.
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