LEGAL GUIDE · ENGLAND & WALES
You trusted them with your care. You deserve answers.
If you were treated for breast cancer, or a suspected breast problem, at a County Durham and Darlington NHS hospital, the latest news may have stopped you in your tracks.
In September 2026 the trust admitted that 20 women had a breast removed when it did not need to be. Hundreds more patients were found to have been harmed by the care they received.
Perhaps you have already had a letter or a phone call. Perhaps you have had nothing, but something about your treatment never felt right. Either way, you are not alone, and you do not have to work it out on your own.
This guide explains what has happened, how to find out whether your care is part of the review, and what your options are if you were let down.
Not sure whether your care is part of the review?
You don’t have to work it out alone. Our team can talk it through with you in confidence, with no pressure and no obligation.
County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust (CDDFT) has confirmed that 315 of the 514 breast cancer cases reviewed to date resulted in harm. Of these, 77 patients suffered significant harm, and one patient is known to have died.
Review finding (as of September 2026) | Number |
Cases reviewed so far | 514 |
Patients found to have been harmed | 315 |
Patients significantly harmed | 77 |
Unnecessary mastectomies admitted | 20 |
Former patients who called the review helpline | about 640 |
Further cases now to be reviewed (back to 2015) | up to 4,500 |
An independent governance review found a pattern of serious problems at the unit, including:
For some women, the harm was losing a breast that could have been saved. Several were later told that a less invasive option, such as a further lumpectomy, could have been offered but was never discussed with them.
The trust’s chief executive has apologised publicly. On 24 September 2026 its board agreed to widen the review one year at a time back to 2015. That could take around five years to complete, so many women may not hear anything for some time.
You may be affected if you had breast care at a CDDFT hospital, including University Hospital of North Durham and Darlington Memorial Hospital, from 2015 onwards. It is worth looking into further if any of these sound familiar:
Most importantly, trust your instincts. Many women in this situation say they sensed something was wrong long before anyone admitted it. If you have questions about your care, you are entitled to ask them.
You do not have to wait for the trust to contact you. These steps put you back in control.
If you are still having treatment, keep attending your appointments. Your health comes first, and asking questions about past care will not affect the treatment you receive now.
Want help requesting your medical records?
We can take care of it for you, and arrange for an independent specialist to review your care, free of charge.
You may be able to claim compensation if your care fell below an acceptable standard and that caused you avoidable harm. The trust’s own admissions may help, but each case still has to be looked at on its own facts.
To succeed, a claim usually needs to show two things:
No amount of money can undo what has happened. But compensation can help pay for what you need to move forward, including:
Families who have lost a loved one because of failings in their care may also be able to claim.
In most cases you have three years to start a claim in England and Wales. That period runs either from the date of the negligent treatment or from the date you first knew, or reasonably should have known, that your care may have caused you harm.
This second date matters here. Many women are only now learning, sometimes years after surgery, that their mastectomy may have been avoidable. For them, the three years may start from when they found out, not from the operation itself.
There are exceptions for people who lack mental capacity and for claims on behalf of someone who has died. Time limits can be complicated, so it is best to get advice as early as you can rather than waiting for the review to reach your case.
Our medical negligence team helps women across England and Wales get answers, and justice, when their care has gone wrong. We know that talking about breast surgery can feel deeply personal. We will listen, take your concerns seriously and explain your options in plain English.
When you contact us, we will:
Were you treated at County Durham and Darlington NHS Trust’s breast service?
Contact our team today for a free, no-obligation conversation.
Complete our online enquiry form and a member of our medical negligence team will call you back.
An unnecessary mastectomy is the removal of all or part of a breast when a less invasive treatment, such as a lumpectomy, would have been suitable and safe. It can also include surgery carried out without the patient being told about other options.
You may not know without an independent expert review of your records. A medical negligence solicitor can arrange for a specialist breast surgeon to assess whether your treatment met the standard expected.
No. You can take legal advice and start a claim independently. The trust’s review may take several years, and waiting could put you at risk of missing the time limit.
No. Making a claim should not affect the care you receive. NHS claims are handled by NHS Resolution, separately from the clinicians treating you.
Most medical negligence claims can be funded through a No Win No Fee agreement, so there is usually nothing to pay upfront. Your solicitor will explain exactly how any fee works before you decide to go ahead.
Possibly. Some patients were seen in private clinics arranged by the trust. A solicitor can check who was responsible for your care and who any claim should be brought against.
Our medical negligence solicitors combine decades of experience with a client-first approach. We know how difficult this time can be — and we’ll stand by your side throughout your claim.
Contact us today for a free consultation and take the first step toward securing the compensation you deserve.
Reviewed by Leanne Henton, Solicitor & Head of Personal Injury and Medical Negligence Claims at NJS Law · Last reviewed July 2026 · England & Wales. NJS Law is regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA No. 8006550). This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. No two cases are the same and outcomes cannot be guaranteed.
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