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Twenty women had breasts removed unnecessarily, NHS trust admits
The trust said 77 patients suffered significant harm, while 20 women had unnecessary mastectomies and police are reviewing possible criminal offences.
- County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust admitted 20 women underwent unnecessary mastectomies, suspending consultant Amir Bhatti while the National Crime Agency and Durham Police investigate allegations of criminal wrongdoing.
- Governance specialist Mary Aubrey warned in a 2025 review that outsourcing patient appointments created financial incentives posing "a risk to clinical standards," after the trust paid nearly £6m over six years to private clinics linked to Bhatti.
- Internal reviews of 514 cases between January 2023 and February 2025 identified 315 patients harmed, including 77 significantly harmed, while one patient has died and 640 former patients contacted a dedicated helpline.
- Former patients, including Denise Howarth, are calling for a public inquiry after being told their mastectomies were avoidable, with victims meeting at the Beamish Football Centre in Stanley describing lifelong physical and psychological harm.
- Officials are considering extending the investigation to include records dating back to 2015, potentially involving up to 10,000 files, while Steve Russell, the new chief executive, apologized "unreservedly" for the harm caused.
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11 Articles
11 Articles
Twenty women had unnecessary mastectomies as hundreds harmed in NHS breast scandal
At least 20 women underwent unnecessary mastectomies, and more than 300 patients have been harmed during treatment at a North East NHS breast cancer service, a new investigation has revealed.
·Darlington, United Kingdom
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A hospital authority in England has admitted that 20 women underwent unnecessary mastectomies. They are part of the hundreds of harmed patients due to serious omissions and possible conflicts of interest.
·Zagreb, Croatia
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A scandal that took place in the UK's healthcare system is reverberating. At least 20 women had their breasts removed unnecessarily during breast cancer treatment in hospitals in the northeast of England.
Coverage Details
Total News Sources11
Leaning Left3Leaning Right0Center6Last UpdatedBias Distribution67% Center
Bias Distribution
- 67% of the sources are Center
67% Center
L 33%
C 67%
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