Calls grow for public inquiry into scandal-hit breast cancer service

The service is currently subject to investigation after it was found there were cases of missed cancers, unnecessary mastectomies and sub-standard levels of care at the University Hospital of North Durham and Darlington Memorial Hospital.

The investigation - which is currently looking at cases between 2023 and 2025 although cases involving poor care are thought to cover a significantly longer period - has found so far that 270 women have suffered harm within the breast cancer service. The care of thousands of women is set to be involved.

Mr Amir Bhatti, the former clinical lead for breast cancer surgery at the trust, was stopped from seeing patients while investigations took place, although it emerged he had mounted a legal challenge to this. The High Court has now rejected his attempt to overturn these restrictions, although Mr Bhatti remains employed by Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust on full pay.

Growing numbers of women have spoken of their devastation at the care they have received from the service, with cases including an 80-year-old woman who underwent unnecessary surgery, a 30-year-old woman unable to have children following a failure to diagnose her cancer, and a 60-year-old woman left bedbound and robbed of her independence.

Lawyers at Slater and Gordon initiated calls for a public inquiry several months ago – and have renewed their demands for action to be taken.

“Women have been left traumatised and devastated by the care they received from Durham and Darlington Breast Cancer Service – at one of the most vulnerable times in their lives, they have been badly let down by those who should have been giving the best possible care,” says Chloe Gibson, specialist clinical negligence lawyer at Slater and Gordon.

“The fact the consultant at the heart of this investigation is trying to challenge the restrictions placed on him will understandably come as a shock to the many women who are involved in this investigation – they need the reassurance that due process is being followed and those who have a case to answer are properly and fully investigated.

“The only way to really achieve this is through a public inquiry. We first called for this several months ago, and on behalf of the many women we represent, and the thousands who may ultimately be involved, we believe this is the only way that proper scrutiny and full accountability can be achieved.”