'Action taken' over breast cancer service failings
CDDFTAn NHS trust said it had taken "significant action" after systematic failings were found at its breast cancer service.
In November, a report found that unnecessary surgeries were carried out, cancers were missed, and poor standards of care were delivered at the University Hospital of North Durham and Darlington Memorial Hospital.
County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust apologised for its failings and said it was investigating hundreds of cases.
The trust said it had "taken significant action to develop a safe service and to ensure that patients referred and accepted into our breast service receive care within the national expected guidelines".
The review, commissioned by the trust in March 2025, found "clinical failures in the breast surgery service".
The review also found "weaknesses in leadership, clinical governance, organisational culture and contract management over many years".
In July, a separate review by the Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) of the trust's breast care services found 12 patients had been contacted to discuss care which led to harm, with some women receiving "more extensive surgery than was clinically necessary at the time".
The RCS also found cancers that were missed, mastectomies that may not have been necessary, and surgery undertaken to remove lymph nodes when not clinically necessary.
Receiving a progress update, councillors in Darlington were told that the service now provided by the trust reflected national guidelines and patients were receiving the same treatment options as patients in other hospitals.
The report read: "We have taken significant action to develop a safe service and to ensure that patients referred and accepted into our breast service receive care within the national expected guidelines.
"Our breast assessment clinics are now run in line with modern accepted standards, and patient appointments are longer to enable this and to offer compassionate care."
The report noted that the trust had installed additional equipment to "reduce unnecessary further operations".
More delays
The trust said it was committed to meeting patients, listening to their experiences, and ensuring they received the support they need.
It has since temporarily reduced the number of patients it sees each week, compared with levels recorded before March 2025.
"We are sorry for these delays; we are working closely across the region to collaborate on a model of care that is safe but also sustainable in providing timely care."
