BBC News, North East and Kumbriya
Getty imagesA trust of the hospital apologized to the patients who received care through their breast cancer service, after some “clinically necessary surgery”.
County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust began a review in their service after a patient safety incident earlier this year.
Catherine Burn, Executive Director of Nursing said: “We fully recognize how upset it is, and we are really sorry.”
The trust stated that it had appointed two new advisory breast surgeons, invested in modern equipment and after reviewed, it had strengthened both its multiple processes and clinical governance system.
In response to the events and comprehensive concerns raised about breast care distribution, the Trust and the North East and North Combrea Integrated Care Board commissioned the Royal College of Surgeons to make an independent review of the breast surgery service to the Royal College of Surgeons.
The RCS team visited the trust in January.
Patient helpline
The trust, which operates the university hospital of North Durham and Darlington Memorial Hospital, said it identified areas where improvement was required.
This included how surgical decisions were made and where some old practices were still in use.
Ms. Bern said: “We know that some patients have not found the standard of care that we want for them, or they are eligible.
“For some patients, it was clinically necessary at that time.”
He said that in cases where there were concerns about personal care, patients would be directly contacted. He said that others whose care was reviewed and found to be appropriate, is also being contacted to assure them.
CDDFTThe report stated that the trust had high rates and low rates of mastectomy for breast reconstruction.
It also noted the performance of certain processes with only cosmetic value funded by NHS England, which has since been stopped.
Since February, the trust has been reviewing the care of patients who underwent surgery through breast service in 2024.
Till now it has reviewed 123 cases of care and has talked to 80 patients as to what could have been done in different ways.
“The review is still going on and we are committed to speaking directly with any patient, which is followed by care warrant,” said Ms. Bern.
“We continue to welcome contact with any patient who worries about his experience.”
A helpline has been installed at 0191 333 2126 and patients can also email: [email protected]
