Medical negligence
At least 12 patients come to harm in NHS breast cancer service
At least 12 patients have been harmed, with potentially more cases yet to be uncovered, as an ongoing investigation into breast cancer care at an NHS Trust reveals its initial findings.
County Durham and Darlington NHS Trust previously admitted it had carried out “more extensive surgery than was clinically necessary” in some cases, and said a review was underway by the Royal College of Surgeons (RCS).
It was revealed earlier this year that 12 women had been contacted regarding failings in their care which had seen them come to harm. At least 60 more cases are subject to investigation, and more women have since come forward.
What happened at County Durham and Darlington NHS Trust?
The RCS report revealed cases where cancers were missed, mastectomies may not have been necessary, incidents of chemotherapy not being offered, and surgery being carried out to remove lymph nodes when not clinically necessary.
More than 200 cases have been identified so far, but the Trust said it could include thousands of cases – and even potentially some deaths - dating back to 2019 at the University Hospital of North Durham and Darlington Memorial Hospital.
A further 95 patients have come forward after a helpline was set up, highlighting the vast scale of the investigation.
What is the impact of breast cancer negligence such as this?
Sub-standard care when dealing with breast cancer can have a grave impact on a patient’s condition and prognosis, whether through misdiagnosis, delayed diagnosis, overdiagnosis, or a failure to adequately treat the condition.
Where breast cancer is not diagnosed quickly enough, either through delays or misdiagnosis, it is left untreated and unchecked, allowing the disease to spread and worsen.
In cases where breast cancer is over-diagnosed, patients can be subjected to needless treatments or surgeries (including mastectomies and the removal of lymph nodes), causing unnecessary pain, discomfort and risk.
How did the failings in breast cancer care occur?
Concerns about the standard of care offered in County Durham and Darlington NHS Trust were raised as early as 2019, following a Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) visit. These concerns were than compounded by the Northern Cancer Alliance peer review carried out in 2024. Shortly after this, in early 2025, a patient safety incident was flagged at the Trust.
The failings have been blamed on multiple factors, including failures to recruit additional staff in the face of demand growth, an underinvestment in staff and equipment, and a lack of response when staff raised concerns.
How has County Durham and Darlington responded to failings?
In a formal apology published in July 2025, the Trust acknowledged that some patients had not been given the standard of care that they would have rightfully expected to receive.
Commenting on the scandal, Kathryn Burn, Executive Director of Nursing, said: “We know that some patients have not received the standard of care that we would want for them, or that they deserve.
“We have identified areas where improvement was needed – including how surgical decisions were made, how our multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) worked and where some outdated practices were still in use.”
The Trust has also stated that they have appointed two new consultant breast surgeons, invested in new equipment, and strengthened its multidisciplinary team processes and clinical governance.
How we are helping to support patients affected by breast cancer negligence
At Slater and Gordon, we are committed to supporting patients and families across the country who have suffered as a result of poor standards of care.
“This is a truly shocking situation. Cancer is terrible disease that touches so many families, and it is absolutely vital that cancers are not needlessly missed and that those who have received a diagnosis receive proper care,” says John Lowther, senior associate at Slater and Gordon in Newcastle.
“It is appalling to think that women are coming to harm even after a diagnosis, during a particularly vulnerable time for them, when they are already dealing with trauma.
“We know there are at least 12 women who have suffered failings which have resulted in harm, but with the vast numbers of cases already involved in this investigation, there may well be more. Women who have been treated at the University Hospital of North Durham and Darlington Memorial Hospital will understandably be deeply concerned and shocked by what we are learning from this ongoing review.
“For anyone with concerns over the treatment they have received, we would urge them to come forward and seek specialist advice and support.”
For anyone who has concerns over care they received at the breast cancer service at University Hospital of North Durham or Darlington Memorial Hospital, Slater and Gordon can help. Call us on 0330 041 5869 or contact us online.
