Twenty women had breasts removed unnecessarily, NHS trust admits

Twenty women underwent mastectomies unnecessarily while being treated for breast cancer, the County Durham and Darlington Foundation Trust (CDDFT) has told the BBC. The patients were among hundreds who suffered harm during care at the trust’s breast service in north‑east England. The acknowledgement follows earlier BBC reporting on serious failures within the unit. Steve Russell, who recently assumed the role of CDDFT chief executive, said he apologises “unreservedly” for the harm caused. “There are no words I could use to convey how personally distressed I am,” he stated. “What happened was utterly unacceptable.” Dozens of affected women and their families reached out after the BBC’s initial coverage. Patients described the shock of learning a mastectomy—removal of all or part of a breast—could have been avoided, as well as the lasting mental and physical effects. Former patients have also gathered to demand a national inquiry. CDDFT is conducting an internal review of breast cancer cases from January 2023 to February 2025, together with the records of 640 former patients who contacted a dedicated helpline. To date, 514 cases have been examined; 315 patients were found to have suffered harm, including 77 who experienced serious harm. One patient is known to have died. The review has also identified instances where cancer diagnoses were missed or delayed, leading to disease progression in some cases, according to Russell. The BBC understands a decision is imminent on whether to expand the review to include cases dating back to 2015, which could involve re‑examining up to 10,000 medical records. The National Crime Agency said it is working with Durham Police to assess allegations from former patients and determine whether any criminal offences occurred. Denise Howarth, a 51‑year‑old from Consett, County Durham, is among those told by the NHS that her breast was removed unnecessarily. “I was just in shock, then ended up in tears on the phone,” she said. Denise was diagnosed with grade 1 (slow‑growing) cancer in 2023 after finding a lump. She first had a lumpectomy, then a mastectomy, followed by eight rounds of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. A letter from CDDFT in September 2025 followed a telephone call from the NHS, stating that a second lumpectomy could have been offered instead of full breast removal, though the option had never been discussed with her. She described the apology as “all good and well” but noted it would not restore her breast. Jo, who asked not to be identified, contacted the trust’s helpline about a mastectomy she underwent in 2021. A former NHS employee said she was told in a telephone call earlier this year that the procedure could have been avoided. Pam Brown of Durham had a mastectomy in 2022 at Spire Hospital in Washington, where one of the outsourced private clinics operates. Like Denise and Jo, Pam does not know who performed her surgery; Amir Bhatti oversaw the care of all three women. Pam believes the mastectomy was necessary, but she said the resulting physical and mental scars have profoundly affected her. Liz O’Riordan, a former breast cancer surgeon, examined photographs of Pam’s scarring and called them “awful,” adding, “That’s not acceptable at all. I’d have brought her back for revision surgery.” Concerns were also highlighted in a 2023 Royal College of Surgeons study, which found that breast cancer cases were not properly discussed in multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings. MDTs are intended to review and challenge treatment plans with input from surgeons, radiologists, pathologists and cancer specialists before major decisions such as mastectomies are made. The report noted little evidence that CDDFT’s breast unit contributed to MDTs, with decisions based on the unchallenged views of individual surgeons. Outdated practices at the trust included a high rate of “re‑excision” (repeat procedures), low immediate uptake of breast reconstruction after mastectomy, and operations that may have been performed “too quickly.” The Aubrey review further suggested that patients may have been treated by locum consultants lacking competence and noted that Bhatti had repeatedly raised concerns about trust delays in obtaining critical diagnostic equipment. CDDFT said it is fully cooperating with the Durham Police and National Crime Agency investigation and will share information when requested. For the women whose breasts were wrongly removed, O’Riordan warned, “You can't put a breast back. These are lifelong disfigurements, and it's horrific.” She added that breast cancer surgery follows some of the tightest guidelines and protocols, and patients should receive the same standard of care whether they are treated privately or publicly, anywhere in the UK. When approached about the concerns, Amir Bhatti said, “I am grateful for the opportunity to respond, but I remain committed to the ongoing trust investigation, and it would be inappropriate for me to comment this whilst proceedings are ongoing.” At Beamish Football Centre in Stanley, a support group meets for women and relatives to share experiences of substandard care from CDDFT’s breast service. Lynn, one of the organisers, said, “My year was 2016, and I've felt unspeakable ever since.” She too has been told her mastectomy was unnecessary. Several women reported receiving formal apologies from the trust but stressed that, more than anything, they want answers about who bears responsibility for the failures in their care. The group is now focusing its efforts on calling for a national inquiry. Lynn added, “I didn't realise how many ladies lived so close to me that had been affected. I'm just completely overwhelmed.”