Review into County Durham & Darlington NHS Trust has been extended
A review into breast surgery services at County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust that began in 2025, has been extended to include more than 4500 cases dating back to 2015.
The Trust confirmed that whilst reviews were already underway covering the period between January 2023 and February 2025, once completed they will then review care one year at a time starting with patients treated in 2022 and working their way back to 2015.
In July 2025, the Trust issued an apology stating “We are deeply sorry for the distress, pain and loss of trust experienced by patients and families affected by the failures in our breast services. We recognise the trauma many have endured - missed cancers, delays in diagnosis, unnecessary procedures and care that fell far below the standards they deserved. We let our patients down, and for that we are profoundly sorry”
“These reports make for extremely difficult reading. They highlight multiple missed opportunities, failures to act with curiosity, and a lack of the problem-sensing mindset needed to keep patients safe. We will learn from this - openly, honestly, and with the urgency this situation demands.”
The independent review highlighted that the Trust had been using outdated clinical practices that did not meet best practice guidance leading to delayed diagnoses, unnecessary mastectomies and a low rate of reconstruction after mastectomy.
The Trust had also outsourced many appointments which ‘posed a risk to clinical standards’ and created ‘conflicts of interest’.
The review went on to state that persistent concerns had been raised since 2012 and in the following years, the Trust had failed to act on repeated warnings and evidence.
It is anticipated that by extending the review back to 2015, it could take up to five years to complete.
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