Medical negligence experts at Switalskis Solicitors support calls for an inquiry into a County Durham NHS Trust after an independent review found that more than 200 breast cancer and breast surgery patients suffered harm – 43 are reported to involve significant harm and one death is being investigated.

Patients at County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust (CDDFT) have reported incidents including  unnecessary mastectomies, delayed diagnoses and a lack of compassionate care at the Trust, which operates nine hospitals across the Trust – the largest of which are Darlington Memorial Hospital, University Hospital of North Durham in the city of Durham itself and Bishop Auckland Hospital.

Now, they are calling for an independent inquiry into breast cancer care and surgery at the Trust’s hospitals  to establish what went wrong and to ensure future patients do not experience similar trauma.

And their calls have been supported by North East-based medical negligence expert and Switalskis Director Clare Thompson , who has dealt with multiple incidences of women sustaining harm from failings in breast cancer care.

‘A right to answers and right to have their voices heard’.

Clare, a panel member of patient safety charity AvMA and Chair of the North East Women Lawyers’ Division, as well as Head of Switalskis North East medical negligence team, said: “This news will have caused deep concern for those women affected and for others who have been treated at the Trust’s hospitals.

‘The recent review highlighted very significant failings in patient care which need further investigation. Patients have a right to answers and a right to have their voices heard. An inquiry would enable at least some of these women to speak out about their experiences and the issues they have experienced as a result.

‘The County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust has said that improvements have been made. However, the number of women who have been identified already and other patients who may have been affected means that no stone should be left unturned to ensure that lessons are learned and future patient safety is ensured.’

Review finds multiple failings at County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

Governance specialist Mary Aubrey conducted a review of breast surgery services at the Trust which began in July 2025. It covered surgery carried out between 2012 to 2025, having been extended from the original period under investigation of 2018 to 2024.

Issues identified included

• Patients sustaining harm due to outdated clinical procedures;
• Patients undergoing unnecessary procedures, including unnecessary mastectomies and excessive surgery;
• Failures to offer immediate reconstruction surgery or to be informed about alternative options, which led to prolonged emotional harm.

Patient helpline set up by Trust

The Trust has said that it will contact breast surgery patients who may have been affected. It has set up a dedicated patient helpline and email address for patients who have concerns.

The review highlighted patients who underwent Fine Needle Aspirations and those who had surgery and were treated in 2023 as being at higher risk.

The nine hospitals that form the Trust are:

·         Bishop Auckland Hospital

·         Chester-le-Street Community Hospital

·         Darlington Memorial Hospital

·         Peterlee Community Hospital

·         Richardson Community Hospital

·         Shotley Bridge Community Hospital

·         Sedgefield Community Hospital

·         University Hospital of North Durham

·         Weardale Community Hospital

How Switalskis can help with failings at County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

If you or a loved one received breast cancer treatment or breast surgery at any of the County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust hospitals and experienced harm, delayed diagnoses, unnecessary procedures, or a lack of compassionate care, your voice matters.

Surgery negligence experts at Switalskis are supporting calls for an independent inquiry into breast cancer care at the Trust. This inquiry would investigate what went wrong, ensure lessons are learned, and help prevent future patients from experiencing similar trauma.

For advice and support from experienced our medical negligence specialists, contact the team today to discuss your situation confidentially.  Call us on 0800 1380 458 or email help@switalskis.com.