Breast service care cases backlog

More than a thousand reviews into breast cancer treatment provided by an NHS trust are unresolved, writes Local Democracy Reporter, Bill Edgar.

NHS bosses say more staff are being recruited to work through the backlog of cases focused on treatment between January 2023 and February 2025. 

A report last year into County Durham and Darlington NHS Trust found unnecessary surgeries were carried out, cancers were missed, and poor standards of care were delivered within its breast cancer care services. 

The service is run from the University Hospital of North Durham and Darlington Memorial Hospital.

Of 357 completed reviews, eight women suffered ‘severe harm’ and 46 ‘moderate harm’. 

Steve Russell, the trust’s chief executive, said: “In all of those cases, we have contacted the women affected and are trying to understand whether there is further support we can offer the women and their families. 

“Although we have completed 357 reviews, there are around a thousand that we have yet to complete.

“It is taking us longer than we would like to get through the reviews and give answers to the women.”

Up to 1,472 cases in total are being reviewed by the trust, including some which date back to 2019. 

The trust is hoping to increase the number of people reviewing cases in the coming months. 

A previous review found governance around such intimate surgery was “inadequate, inconsistent and failed to ensure patient safety”.

However, the trust said the service now provided reflects national guidelines and patients receive the same treatment options as patients being treated in other hospitals.

A dedicated public appeal portal has been launched, urging anyone who believes they may have been a victim of crime as a result of breast cancer surgery to come forward.

Speaking at a Durham County Council health committee, Mr Russell added: “We absolutely acknowledge the significant impact the issues within the breast service have had and continue to have on patients and their families, and the wider trust and confidence in the local communities 

“Our absolute priority is supporting the women who have been affected by the service failures, to make improvements, and to rebuild trust and confidence.”

Durham Constabulary confirmed last week that it was investigating the trust to determine whether any crimes had taken place.

Mark Wilkes, Liberal Democrat member for Framwellgate and Newton Hall, said: “I know that throughout the trust you have some amazing staff, but I am flabbergasted that it has taken as long as six years to pick up the failures and harm, and also that it is taking eight months or more to review those people who have been in touch.”

Changes to the service provided by the trust include improved methods of assessing, diagnosing and treating women. 

Mr Russell added: “I want people who live in this area to have confidence in all of the services that they may need in Durham and Darlington. 

“The first way for us to rebuild confidence is by making things better by making improvements and supporting the women who have been impacted.”