NHS trust admits 20 unnecessary mastectomies
County Durham and Darlington Foundation Trust has told the BBC that 20 women underwent mastectomies that were later judged unnecessary, and that hundreds of patients were harmed in its breast unit. An internal review covering January 2023 to February 2025 has found 315 harmed among 514 cases reviewed, including 77 significantly harmed and one known death, and the trust is considering extending the review back to 2015 which could reopen up to 10,000 records. The National Crime Agency and Durham Police are investigating alleged offences, the clinical lead has been suspended, and prior outsourcing and payments to private clinics are under scrutiny.
Twenty women had mastectomies the trust says were unnecessary.
Context
The BBC reported serious failures at the trust last year. The trust opened an internal review and police and the National Crime Agency are now investigating.
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