NHS trust extends breast cancer case review to 4,500 after scandal findings

County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust has voted unanimously at an extraordinary board meeting in Durham on Thursday 24 September 2026 to extend its breast-surgery lookback review back to 2015, covering up to a further 4,500 cases.

The review, published last week, found that of 538 breast-cancer cases examined, 321 had experienced some form of harm, including one death. At least 20 women underwent unnecessary mastectomies, while elsewhere cancer diagnoses were missed or delayed, letting the disease spread. Concerns were first raised in 2015 after a “service reconfiguration” and the loss of breast surgical trainee posts.

Board chair Alison Marshall said: “I would like to offer a sincere apology to all the women and their families who have been affected by the failings in our breast services. I can’t imagine the impact that has had.” She said the trust could “not turn back the clock” but would be “open, honest and transparent”.

The trust will finish reviews already under way, covering care between January 2023 and February 2025, then look back one year at a time, from 2022 back towards 2015, with findings reviewed after each year.

Chief executive Steve Russell said: “We remain deeply sorry for the harm and distress caused, and for the times when, as a Trust, we should have listened more carefully, asked more questions and acted sooner.”

About 640 patients have contacted a special helpline. Durham Police, supported by the National Crime Agency, continues to investigate whether any criminal offences were committed.

Sources

• The Sun: https://www.thesun.co.uk/health/40479909/nhs-review-breast-cancer-scandal-death/
• Great Driffield Radio (trust statement): https://greatdriffieldradio.co.uk/uk/nhs-trust-to-review-breast-cancer-cases-over-more-than-a-decade-after-failings/
• Hudgell Solicitors: https://www.hudgellsolicitors.co.uk/news/company/durham-breast-scandal-review-extended-to-2015