NHS Breast Care Scandal
NHS Trust Investigates Dozens of Unnecessary Mastectomies Following Major Breast Care Review
Anonymous
Key Points
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The investigation is being conducted jointly by the National Crime Agency and Durham Police to determine whether any criminal offences took place, following allegations from former patients.
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The trust’s chief executive said it had identified opportunities when staff should have listened more carefully and acted sooner, and that significant changes had since been made to the breast service.
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Denise Howarth was told she could have undergone a second lumpectomy rather than full breast removal; she subsequently underwent eight rounds of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
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The trust’s board is scheduled to meet in public on September 24 to consider the future scope and timeframe of the review, and the trust has said no final decision has yet been made.
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The trust has kept a dedicated support line open for patients with concerns about their breast care, with contact available by telephone at 0191 333 2126 or by email at cddft.breastservices@nhs.net.
An NHS trust in northeast England has admitted that at least 20 women underwent unnecessary breast removal surgery, with hundreds more harmed by poor cancer care. The Sun reported that of 514 cases reviewed so far at County Durham and Darlington Foundation Trust, 315 patients suffered harm, including 77 significantly harmed and one death. The scandal stems from breast cancer surgery outsourced under a payment-per-patient arrangement that investigators say created a financial conflict of interest.
Chief Executive Steve Russell apologized unreservedly and said the trust has ended the controversial outsourcing arrangement. Yahoo News noted that the trust is now reviewing 1,472 patients treated between January 2023 and February 2025, with plans to potentially expand the investigation to thousands of procedures dating back to 2015. Police and the National Crime Agency are examining whether criminal offenses occurred.
Why 20 Women Lost Breasts They Didn't Need to Lose
Denise Howarth was told she needed a full mastectomy, but investigators later found she could have had a second lumpectomy instead. Express reported she felt "butchered" by the unnecessary surgery. She subsequently underwent eight rounds of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The trust's outsourced breast unit made decisions that staff should have questioned more carefully.
Head Topics reported the trust identified instances when staff should have listened to patients more carefully and acted sooner. Some cancers were missed or delayed, allowing them to spread. One patient died as a result of the poor care. The trust says significant changes have been made to the breast service since concerns emerged.
How a Flawed Payment System Drove Harmful Decisions
The breast surgery was outsourced under a per-patient payment arrangement that created perverse incentives. Investigators determined this financial structure encouraged unnecessary procedures. People reported that 20 women had breasts removed during cancer treatment they didn't actually need. The trust has now ended this outsourcing arrangement for breast services.
Review Scope Could Expand to Thousands of Past Cases
The trust is currently reviewing 1,472 patients treated between January 2023 and February 2025. It has also examined 640 former patients who contacted a dedicated helpline. Yahoo News reported that the trust's board will meet in public on September 24 to decide whether to expand the review to procedures dating back to 2015. No final decision has been made yet.
Criminal Investigation Underway as Patients Seek Support
The Sun reported that Durham Police and the National Crime Agency are examining whether criminal offenses occurred. Patient allegations have prompted the formal investigation into the trust's practices. The trust has established a dedicated support line for patients with concerns about their breast care. Patients can call 0191 333 2126 or email cddft.breastservices@nhs.net for help.
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