NHS Trust Admits 20 Unnecessary Mastectomies in Care Scandal

The County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust has admitted that 20 women underwent unnecessary mastectomies as part of widespread care failures in its breast cancer service. An internal review of 514 cases from January 2023 to February 2025 found 315 patients suffered harm, including 77 with significant harm and one known death. The trust's board is scheduled to meet on September 24 to consider expanding the review to cases dating back to 2015, which could involve thousands more records. Durham Police, with assistance from the National Crime Agency, is investigating allegations from former patients to assess if criminal offences occurred. Consultant Amir Bhatti, the trust's former clinical lead for breast services from 2013 to 2024, has had his clinical practice restricted during an internal investigation. A 2025 external governance review found that outsourcing patient appointments to clinics run privately by Bhatti created financial incentives that were potentially a risk to clinical standards.