NHS Trust Admits 20 Unnecessary Mastectomies; 315 Patients Harmed

The County Durham and Darlington Foundation Trust (CDDFT), an NHS trust in north-east England, has acknowledged that 20 women underwent mastectomies that could have been avoided while receiving cancer treatment at its breast unit. This admission follows BBC investigations into serious failures at the facility reported over the past year.

An internal review of 514 cases conducted between January 2023 and February 2025, combined with cases from 640 former patients who contacted a dedicated helpline, found that 315 patients suffered harm during treatment. Of these, 77 experienced significant harm and one patient is known to have died. The review also identified cases where cancer diagnoses were missed or delayed, resulting in disease spread. Steve Russell, who took over as chief executive last year, issued an unreserved apology, stating: "There are no words I could use to convey how personally distressed I am. What happened was utterly unacceptable."

Among affected patients is Denise Howarth, 51, from Consett, County Durham, who was diagnosed with grade 1 (slow-growing) cancer in 2023. After an initial lumpectomy, she underwent a full mastectomy followed by eight rounds of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. In September 2025, CDDFT contacted her to say the mastectomy was unnecessary and that a second lumpectomy could have been offered instead—an option never discussed with her. Another patient, identified as Jo, underwent an unnecessary mastectomy in 2021 and was informed in early 2026 that the procedure could have been avoided.

Mr Amir Bhatti, who served as CDDFT's clinical lead for breast services from 2013 to 2024 and oversaw care for both Howarth and Jo, has been suspended from clinical practice but remains employed by the trust on full pay. The BBC reported that nearly £6 million was paid by the trust over six years to breast cancer diagnostic clinics and surgery companies run privately by Bhatti, raising concerns about potential financial incentives.

The trust board is scheduled to meet publicly on 24 September 2026 to decide whether to extend the review's scope to include cases dating back to 2015, potentially reopening up to 10,000 medical records. The National Crime Agency is working with Durham Police to investigate allegations by former patients and determine whether any criminal offences occurred. A dedicated support line (0191 333 2126) remains available for patients with concerns about their breast care.