County Durham and Darlington Foundation Trust (CDDFT) has disclosed to the BBC that twenty women received mastectomies that were not medically necessary while receiving breast cancer treatment. The acknowledgment represents the latest development in an ongoing examination of the trust’s breast cancer unit, which has been the subject of significant scrutiny following prior reported concerns about operational failures.
CDDFT’s newly appointed chief executive, Steve Russell, issued an apology for the harm caused by the trust, characterizing the situation as “utterly unacceptable.” The trust is presently conducting an internal review of breast cancer cases spanning January 2023 through February 2025, alongside cases from 640 former patients who contacted a dedicated helpline. Among the 514 cases reviewed thus far, the trust has determined that 315 patients experienced harm, with 77 facing significant harm. The review has also identified instances where cancer diagnoses were missed or delayed, with some patients subsequently experiencing cancer progression. One patient death has been documented.
Russell indicated that the trust intends to meet in the coming week to determine whether the review’s scope should be broadened to encompass up to 10,000 cases dating back to 2015. The decision will be made following consultation with patient groups, clinical experts, and legal representatives. The National Crime Agency has begun collaboration with Durham Police to investigate allegations and ascertain whether criminal offenses occurred.
The investigation has focused on the role of Amir Bhatti, who served as the trust’s clinical lead for breast services from 2013 through 2024. Bhatti currently remains employed on full pay while suspended from clinical practice. A governance review conducted by specialist Mary Aubrey in 2025 highlighted concerns regarding the trust’s arrangement with private clinics operated by Bhatti, which received nearly £6 million in payments over six years. Aubrey identified this outsourcing structure as creating financial incentives potentially detrimental to clinical standards. Russell acknowledged that a conflict of interest existed but stated the trust has since terminated this arrangement for breast cancer services.
Article Attribution | Read More at Article Source
Article summary produced by Claude AI