Calls for inquiry into trust's breast cancer care

Kate Driver thinks there needs to be a public inquiry

Calls are being made for an independent inquiry into breast cancer care at an NHS trust.

The BBC learned patients suffered unnecessary mastectomies, delayed diagnoses and a lack of compassionate care at County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust (CDDFT).

Steve Russell, new chief executive of the trust, said the breast service today was "very different" and reiterated his apology to "the patients, families, communities and colleagues who have been affected".

Former patient Kate Driver, from Chester-le-Street, is among those calling for a public inquiry into the failings, and said: "Everybody deserves to know and our families deserve to know."

Ms Driver, 31, formally complained about her treatment at the County Durham and Darlington NHS Trust and said it had traumatised her.

Solicitor Chloe Gibson says thousands of women could have been affected

Slater and Gordon solicitor Chloe Gibson said the women she had spoken to received "appalling" care.

She said: "I do think that there should be a public inquiry. I have spoken with women and [about] their concerns and they want a public inquiry."

The law firm is acting on behalf of a "growing number of women" and said it had seen a surge in people getting in touch.

Medical records of nearly 1,600 patients treated since 2023 are being examined.

An independent review said "persistent concerns" had been raised since 2012, when the trust lost its status as a training centre for breast surgery services.

Prof Ian Fentiman, Emeritus professor of surgical oncology at King's College London, was shown footage of one of the women talking about the poor care she experienced.

He said: "It sounds like savagery, doesn't it?

"This has had such an impact on her that just thinking about it is still bringing tears to her eyes.

"This seems to me to be an unwarranted way of doing things."

Steve Russell said the trust was "committed to learning from what has happened"

Mr Russell said the trust recognised "significant interest and concern following the media coverage and in particular the BBC documentary".

He said: "The programme is a very difficult watch.

"It shares the experiences of patients who were profoundly affected by the failings within our service, and seeing these stories presented so starkly is painful for all of us who care deeply about the people we serve.

"The documentary reflects many of the themes highlighted through the independent reviews - including issues relating to financial arrangements, outdated practices, missed diagnoses, overly extensive surgery, and missed opportunities to identify and address problems sooner.

"We fully acknowledge these failings, and we are deeply sorry."

The trust has published an apology and said it was committed to learning from what had happened and making the changes necessary.