Reviews of breast cancer care treatment unresolved
CDDFTUp to 1,000 reviews into breast cancer treatment provided by an NHS trust remain unresolved.
NHS bosses said more staff were being recruited to work through the backlog of cases focused on treatment carried out at the University Hospital of North Durham and Darlington Memorial Hospital between January 2023 and February 2025.
A report last year into County Durham and Darlington NHS Trust found unnecessary surgeries were carried out, cancers were missed and poor standards of care were delivered within its breast cancer care services.
Steve Russell, the trust's chief executive, said: "It is taking us longer than we would like to get through the reviews and give answers to the women."
Out of 357 completed reviews, it was found that eight women suffered "severe harm" and 46 "moderate harm", according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
Russell said: "In all of those cases, we have contacted the women affected and are trying to understand whether there is further support we can offer the women and their families.
"Although we have completed 357 reviews, there are around 1,000 that we have yet to complete."
Increase review staff
Up to 1,472 cases are being reviewed by the trust, including some which date back to 2019.
The trust said it was hoping to increase the number of staff carrying out reviews in the coming months.
A previous review found governance around such intimate surgery was "inadequate, inconsistent and failed to ensure patient safety".
However, the trust said the service now provided reflected national guidelines and patients received the same treatment options as those in other hospitals.
A dedicated public appeal portal has been launched, urging anyone who believes they may have been a victim of crime as a result of breast cancer surgery to come forward.
Speaking at a Durham County Council health committee, Russell said: "We absolutely acknowledge the significant impact the issues within the breast service have had and continue to have on patients and their families, and the wider trust.
"Our absolute priority is supporting the women who have been affected by the service failures, to make improvements and to rebuild trust and confidence."
Durham Constabulary confirmed last week that it was investigating to determine whether any crimes have been committed.
Mark Wilkes, Liberal Democrat member for Framwellgate and Newton Hall, said: "I know that throughout the trust you have some amazing staff, but I am flabbergasted that it has taken as long as six years to pick up the failures and harm.
"It is also is taking eight months or more to review those people who have been in touch."
Changes to the trust's service include improved methods of assessing, diagnosing and treating women.
Russell added: "The first way for us to rebuild confidence is by making things better by making improvements and supporting the women who have been impacted."
