Calls for public enquiry into breast cancer service failings

Hudgell Solicitors, which represents a growing number of former patients of the Trust and suspended breast surgeon Mr Amir Bhatti, has backed calls for a judge-led inquiry with powers to require witnesses to give evidence under oath.

The demand comes as the scale of harm identified through ongoing patient reviews continues to emerge.

Rachel O’Connor from Hudgells (Image: Neil Holmes)

As of June 3, the Trust said 389 lookback reviews had been completed, with 65 cases of moderate or severe harm identified and one death linked to concerns raised during the investigation.

Independent reviews, which were published last year, have already highlighted what were described as “decade-long systemic failures within the Trust’s breast cancer service, including missed cancers, delays in diagnosis and unnecessary mastectomies.

Rachel O’Connor, a specialist medical negligence solicitor at Hudgell Solicitors, said the current investigations do not go far enough.

“We don’t feel the current investigations are going back far enough, given it has been identified in independent reviews that systemic failures were dating back a decade at least,” she said.

“We’ve been contacted by patients who were treated well before January 2023 who have serious concerns over the care provided to them, and whether it impacted their own outcomes.”

The legal team believes significant questions remain not only about patient care but also around governance, oversight and decision-making within the Trust.

County Durham and Darlington NHS Trust (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

Ms O’Connor said concerns over healthcare failures, governance issues, the establishment and operation of private clinics, the Trust’s decision to prevent Mr Bhatti from carrying out clinical duties, and the ongoing Durham Police investigation all pointed towards the need for a Public Inquiry.

“We believe a Public Inquiry must be called,” she said.

“Women have been left harmed and traumatised when they turned to the NHS at a vulnerable time.

Mr Amir Bhatti (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

“This was not an issue which suddenly arose; it escalated over many years because of a lack of action and accountability.”

The call is being supported by patients and bereaved families, including Amelia Green, whose sister Michaela died from breast cancer in 2009 and who later received treatment through the Trust’s breast cancer service herself.

Ms Green has launched a petition calling for a national inquiry, reform of breast cancer surgery services at the Trust and accountability for those responsible.

Meanwhile, lawyers have also criticised the pace of the ongoing review programme.

At a meeting in March, the Trust reported that 357 reviews had been completed. By early June, that figure had risen to 389, an increase of just 32 cases over more than two months.

“Given the worry and stress this is causing to patients, that is unacceptable,” Ms O’Connor said.

“We need full answers and accountability, and that will only come with the full scrutiny of people being compelled to give evidence under oath, so we fully support the call for the Inquiry.”

Around 1,500 patient records are currently being reviewed as part of the Trust’s investigation into breast cancer services, while Durham Police continues to examine whether any criminal offences may have been committed.

The Trust has apologised to patients and families affected by failures identified within breast services and says a series of improvements have since been introduced, including additional specialist staff, revised clinical pathways and strengthened clinical leadership.