Roy Suryo
A shocking admission from an NHS trust in north-east England has revealed that twenty women underwent unnecessary mastectomies while being treated for breast cancer. These harrowing cases are part of a wider pattern of serious failures at the breast unit of the County Durham and Darlington Foundation Trust (CDDFT), which has led to hundreds of patients suffering harm. The revelations follow previous BBC reporting that exposed significant shortcomings within the unit.
Steve Russell, the newly appointed chief executive of CDDFT, has issued an unreserved apology for the distress and suffering caused. "There are no words I could use to convey how personally distressed I am," Russell stated. "What happened was utterly unacceptable." His words come as dozens of affected women and their families have come forward, sharing their experiences of shock and pain after discovering that radical surgery could have been avoided. Many are still living with the profound physical and psychological consequences.
The CDDFT is currently conducting an internal review of breast cancer cases treated between January 2023 and February 2025. This review is in addition to examining the cases of 640 former patients who contacted a dedicated helpline. So far, of the 514 cases reviewed, a staggering 315 patients have been found to have suffered harm, with 77 experiencing significant harm. Tragically, one patient’s death has been linked to these failings. The trust has also identified instances where cancer diagnoses were missed or delayed, leading to the spread of the disease in some patients.
In a significant development, Russell indicated that the trust’s board would meet to consider expanding the scope of the review to encompass up to 10,000 cases, potentially dating back to 2015. This decision will be informed by advice from patient groups, clinical experts, and legal representatives, with any decision to be made public. Adding to the gravity of the situation, the National Crime Agency has joined forces with Durham Police to investigate allegations from former patients and determine if any criminal offences have occurred.
One of the women who has been informed that her mastectomy was unnecessary is Denise Howarth, a 51-year-old from Consett, County Durham. She described her reaction to the news as one of initial shock, followed by tears. Denise was diagnosed with a slow-growing grade 1 cancer in 2023 and underwent a lumpectomy, followed by a mastectomy, eight rounds of chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. The NHS informed her in September 2025 that a second lumpectomy would have been a viable alternative to a full breast removal, a crucial option that was never discussed with her. She expressed that while an apology is welcome, it cannot restore what she has lost.
"Jo," a former NHS worker who wishes to remain anonymous, contacted the trust’s helpline regarding a mastectomy she had in 2021. She was informed via a phone call earlier this year that the procedure could have been avoided. Jo, who had trusted her colleagues to provide the best care, now feels "mutilated" and considers the trust’s mistakes "absolutely unforgivable."
The consultant who oversaw the care of both Jo and Denise was Mr Amir Bhatti, who served as CDDFT’s clinical lead for breast services from 2013 to 2024. Mr Bhatti has been suspended from clinical practice but remains employed by the trust on full pay. Last year, it was reported that CDDFT had paid nearly £6 million over six years to breast cancer diagnostic clinics and surgical companies privately run by Mr Bhatti. A 2025 review by governance specialist Mary Aubrey highlighted concerns about this arrangement, suggesting that outsourcing patient appointments created financial incentives that posed a "risk to clinical standards." While Russell acknowledged that payment per service is not uncommon in healthcare, he confirmed that this arrangement for breast cancer services has now been terminated, admitting that a conflict of interest was not properly managed.
Pam Brown from Durham underwent a mastectomy in 2022 at Spire Hospital in Washington, a private clinic where one of the outsourced services was based. Although Mr Bhatti was the consultant overseeing her care, Pam believes her mastectomy was necessary. However, she has been left with significant physical and psychological scarring. Liz O’Riordan, a former breast cancer surgeon who reviewed photographs of Pam’s scarring, described them as "awful" and stated they were "not acceptable at all," suggesting revision surgery would have been necessary.
Further concerns were raised last year in a report by the Royal College of Surgeons (RCS), which noted that breast cancer cases were not adequately discussed in multi-disciplinary team meetings (MDTs). These crucial meetings involve surgeons, radiologists, pathologists, and cancer specialists to review and challenge treatment plans before major decisions are made. The RCS report found little evidence of the trust’s breast unit actively contributing to MDTs, with decisions reportedly being made based on the unchallenged opinions of individual surgeons. The report also highlighted outdated practices at the trust that did not align with best practice guidelines, including a high rate of re-excisions, low rates of immediate breast reconstruction, and operations that may have been performed "too quickly."
The Aubrey review also pointed to potential issues with the competence of locum consultants and noted Mr Bhatti’s repeated concerns about the trust’s delays in acquiring essential diagnostic equipment. CDDFT has stated its full cooperation with the ongoing investigation by Durham Police and the National Crime Agency, sharing information as requested. However, for the women who have undergone unnecessary mastectomies, the impact is irreversible.
"You can’t put a breast back," remarked O’Riordan, emphasizing that these are lifelong disfigurements and "horrific." She stressed that breast cancer surgery should adhere to stringent guidelines and protocols, ensuring consistent treatment regardless of whether care is provided privately or publicly. The Department of Health and Social Care expressed its sympathy to the affected women and their families, stating it could not comment further while investigations are ongoing. The department added that the trust is working with NHS England, the Care Quality Commission, and independent experts to address the failings and ensure patient safety.
When approached for comment, Amir Bhatti stated, "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 discuss this whilst proceedings are ongoing."
A support group for women affected by the poor treatment at CDDFT’s breast care unit meets regularly. Lynn, one of the organisers, shared her experience of undergoing an unnecessary mastectomy in 2016 and feeling unwell ever since. While some women have received formal apologies from the trust, they universally seek answers regarding accountability for the care failures. The group is now focusing its efforts on campaigning for a public inquiry. "I didn’t realise how many ladies lived so near me that had been affected," Lynn shared, expressing her feelings of being overwhelmed.
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