County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust has acknowledged serious shortcomings in its breast cancer service and says it has taken “significant” steps to improve patient safety.
An independent investigation released in November highlighted “systemic failings” within the Trust, revealing that critical red flags and warnings were routinely ignored. The report, known as the Aubrey Report, found that unnecessary surgeries were performed, cancers were missed, and women received substandard care during a vulnerable period of their lives.
The Trust’s breast service, operated from the University Hospital of North Durham and Darlington Memorial Hospital, has been under scrutiny following concerns about care standards spanning at least the past decade.
In response, the Trust has issued a formal apology and launched investigations into hundreds of cases. At a recent Darlington council meeting, officials were told that the service now aligns with national guidelines, providing patients with the same treatment options available at other hospitals.
A report to the committee stated:“We have taken significant action to develop a safe service and to ensure that patients referred and accepted into our breast service receive care within the national expected guidelines. Our breast assessment clinics are now run in line with modern accepted standards, appointments are longer to provide compassionate care, and additional equipment has been installed to reduce unnecessary surgeries.”
Previous reviews criticized the Trust’s governance of intimate surgery as “inadequate, inconsistent, and failing to ensure patient safety.” One woman, who underwent major cancer surgery only to be told it was unnecessary, described her experience as “traumatic” and said she felt unsupported. Recalling the news delivered via telephone, she said:
“Until this point, I thought that while my care had been cold, impersonal and lacking in support, it was at least appropriate, but learning that it wasn’t has truly been dreadful.”
The Trust has committed to engaging with patients, listening to their experiences, and ensuring proper support. It has also temporarily reduced the number of patients seen weekly to focus on improving care quality.
The report acknowledged that this reduction has affected treatment timeliness, not only for patients in County Durham and Darlington but also for the wider North East and North Cumbria. Patients may experience longer waiting times than before March this year. The Trust said it is working regionally to develop a safe and sustainable model for timely care.
