Over 50 women suffer ‘moderate or severe harm’ in breast cancer service

More than 50 women have experienced “moderate or severe harm” in a two-year period at a scandal-hit breast cancer service, new figures from the NHS Trust have revealed.

Durham and Darlington Breast Cancer Service has been under investigation since last year, following an independent report from the Royal College of Surgeons which raised concerns over cases dating back to at least 2019.

Alleged cases of harm, which occurred at the University Hospital of North Durham and Darlington Memorial Hospital, include failure to diagnose cancer, unnecessary mastectomies, failures to offer breast reconstruction, and life-altering scarring.

Scores of women have since come forward with accounts of how their experiences of poor care at the service, led by Dr Amir Bhatti, have left them devastated. It is estimated that hundreds, if not thousands, of women could have been impacted.

Now, in new figures revealed by County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust at a public board meeting, it was confirmed that 1,472 women received surgery from the service between January 1, 2023, and February 21, 2025. Investigations into the levels of care are continuing, but 34 have already been established as experiencing “moderate or severe” levels of harm.

A further 17 women were identified through patient contact forums – meaning at least 51 have suffered during that period – with investigations centring on care covering the period back to at least 2019 still underway. No timescale has been given on when a conclusion can be expected.

The Trust added that 484 calls had been made to its dedicated helpline for patients of Durham and Darlington Breast Cancer Service, which was established after reports of widespread issues in care were first made public.

Law firm Slater and Gordon has become a leading voice in representing women across County Durham who are affected by the service’s failings, and has held both online and in-person legal clinics to help them and their families understand their legal position and how they can push for answers over what went so wrong in their care.

“These figures are very concerning, and show that even in this two-year period women were coming to serious harm. The timescale of investigation dates back to at least 2019, so the probability is that there will be many more who will be found to have suffered significantly,” says Chloe Gibson, clinical negligence solicitor at Slater and Gordon in the North East.

“We are speaking with growing numbers of women and families whose lives have been torn apart by the devastating experience they have suffered from this service – at a time

in their lives when they are at their most vulnerable, these women have very clearly been let down.

“We will continue to do all we can to ensure they get the answers they need as to what went wrong in their care, as well as accountability from those involved.”