Durham Breast Cancer Scandal: Could thousands more women be affected as review is widened by 4,500 cases?

ANOTHER 4,500 cases dating back to 2015 are under review as the Durham Breast Cancer Scandal continues to unfold and raise new concerns over the scale of the failures.

Following a review of 514 cases dating back to 2023, hundreds of patients are now known suffered harm while being treated for breast cancer under County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust.

On 24 September 2026, bosses at the Trust agreed to expand the review and members of the Trust’s board have offered “sincere” apologies for the failings and harm uncovered by the provisional review.

The initial review has discovered:

• Twenty women underwent mastectomies unnecessarily
• 315 patients have been found to have suffered harm
• 77 women were significantly harmed
• One patient is known to have died.
• Cancer diagnoses were missed or delayed
• Some patients saw their cancer spread

We can obtain & independently review medical evidence

For the women affected, the latest announcement is likely to raise difficult questions about treatment they may have received many years ago.

Since the beginning of 2026, our Clinical Negligence team has been supporting more than 25 women affected by concerns surrounding breast cancer treatment at County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust.

Specialist Solicitor Hannah Entwistle has taken the lead in representing women affected by the investigation and has developed considerable experience of the issues now coming under wider scrutiny.

The concerns have included treatment provided by former Clinical Lead for breast services, Amir Bhatti, who has been restricted from clinical practice while investigations continue.

With the review into cases now widened back to 2015, Hannah is urging anyone who needs support or advice to get in touch.

Hannah said: “Since the beginning of this year we have been speaking to and representing a number of women with very serious concerns about the breast cancer treatment they received from County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust.

“The announcement to widen the review could significantly increase the number of women whose care may now be examined.

“For someone who believed their treatment was behind them, being told that their care may need to be reviewed can understandably raise extremely difficult questions. Women may be asking whether their diagnosis was correct, whether the surgery they underwent was necessary, whether different treatment should have been offered or whether something should have been identified sooner.

“These are questions we are already very familiar with because we have been investigating them on behalf of affected women for many months.

“It is particularly important to stress that women do not have to wait for the Trust’s review to investigate their individual case before seeking legal advice. Depending upon the circumstances, it may be possible to bring a bit more clarity by obtaining and independently reviewing the relevant medical evidence.”

The Trust has said it will complete its current review of care provided between January 2023 and February 2025 before working backwards, one year at a time, towards 2015.

Experienced team can offer compassion and support

Our specialists already understand the wider background to the investigation, including the concerns relating to Mr Bhatti and the recurring clinical issues that have emerged. Women who contact us do not have to begin by explaining the entire history of what has happened.

Our focus is on understanding what happened to each individual woman, whether her treatment fell below an acceptable standard and, importantly, the impact that has had.

Hannah is working alongside Alixandra Cadden-Young, Head of Clinical Negligence, and Clinical Negligence Solicitor Monica Kershaw, so that those who do come forward can benefit from an experienced and understanding team.

Monica Kershaw said: “The scale of what is now being reviewed is deeply concerning. Behind every one of these cases is an individual woman who may have gone through frightening, invasive and potentially life-changing treatment.

“We have already been supporting women and families affected by these issues for a considerable period of time, and our team has built up detailed knowledge of the clinical and legal issues involved.

“For anyone worried about treatment they received, the important message is that they do not have to wait years for answers before speaking to someone who already understands these cases.”

Get in touch for clarity and expert advice

If you received breast cancer treatment from County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, including treatment involving Mr Amir Bhatti, and have concerns about your diagnosis, surgery or treatment, we would urge you to get in touch.

Our specialist Clinical Negligence team is already representing women affected by the investigation and has considerable experience of the issues involved. We can talk through what happened and advise whether your care should be independently investigated.

If you or someone you know have any concerns relating to the treatment provided by CDDFT, we would urge you to call 0191 566 6500 to discuss your case in the strictest confidence. Or you can email law@longdens.co.uk and one of our friendly team will arrange a convenient time to give you a call.

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