County Durham & Darlington Breast Care Claims

If you had breast cancer treatment at County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, and you have concerns about your care, we’re here to help. Our experienced group action team will listen, guide you through your options, and support you at every stage.

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Author

Francesca Paul

Partner, Group Action Lead

Reviewer

Christian Beadell

Partner and Head of Clinical Negligence

Last Updated

17th July 2026

Can I make a County Durham & Darlington breast care claim?

We know that nearly 1,500 breast surgery cases are under review following treatment within the Trust, with more than 50 patients identified as having experienced moderate or severe harm. You might be able to make a claim if you had breast cancer screening, diagnosis or treatment at a hospital within County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, and something went wrong with your care. This also includes Darlington Memorial Hospital or University Hospital of North Durham

One surgeon under investigation is Mr Amir Bhatti, who is a Consultant Breast and General Surgeon based in County Durham. It’s been reported that Mr Bhatti is now restricted from any medical duties and is no longer seeing patients – but we recognise that there will still be a sense of worry for the patients he has treated. Based on early findings, the people most likely to have been affected by negligent care include those who may have undergone unnecessary or excessive surgery, who received inadequate biopsy samples, or whose biopsies may have missed diseased tissue.

The Trust has announced a full review of its breast services after external reviewers found some patients received inappropriate or ineffective treatment. A Royal College of Surgeons report has already identified troubling issues – including missed cancer diagnoses, mastectomies that may not have been necessary, and failures to offer chemotherapy – when it should have been considered. This recall is part of a wider systematic review of patient safety issues at County Durham.

Example of a case we are supporting

Our client, Erin, found a lump in her breast and was referred to the University Hospital of North Durham. After a mammogram, she was told it was a harmless cyst. Months later, when the lump continued to grow, she was re-referred to Darlington Memorial Hospital, where she was finally diagnosed with breast cancer. By this point, the tumour was large, and Erin had to undergo a full mastectomy, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. She continues to live with the side effects of treatment, including lymphedema and early menopause. Erin believes her cancer could have been treated less invasively if diagnosed earlier.

Other group action claims we support

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What compensation can help with

Providing financial security to support your recovery.

For many women we support, securing compensation means they can fund the specialist treatment they need to improve their quality of life and live well, after what is often a distressing and traumatic experience. People also come to us looking for answers, and accountability from the organisations responsible for their failures. Going through the legal process with a team that is dedicated to group actions, provides a route to those answers that might otherwise feel long and complex.

Every case is different. Some women are feeling the impact of a missed or delayed diagnosis. This can mean that their cancer has become more serious, and treatment might now be more invasive than it needed to be. Some women have experienced errors in their chemotherapy delivery, and some have undergone surgery that wasn’t necessary. These issues present a range of injuries and recovery journeys, that can be supported through compensation.

A successful County Durham & Darlington breast care claim may help fund:

Costs of further surgery or corrective treatment
Ongoing medical care and specialist consultations
Psychological support and counselling
Loss of earnings and impact on future earning capacity
Pain, suffering and loss of amenity
Travel and transport costs related to your treatment and recovery
Care and support provided by family members

Understanding the potential value

This is an ongoing group action, so more details on case outcomes will be released as they are available. It’s important to understand though, that no two cases are the same. The nature of this investigation means that we are seeing a number of issues affecting patients in different ways. Your case will be managed on its own individual merit, and we will build a settlement package that reflects the harm you have personally experienced. Compensation depends on the nature and severity of the harm caused, how your care fell short, the impact on your health and quality of life, and your financial losses. Our team will give you a clear and honest assessment of what your case may be worth once we have reviewed your circumstances.

Compensating for poor care

Beyond the original scope of the patient recall, we are supporting a number of women who fall outside of that bracket, but have still been affected by negligent care. Compensation helps to make sure you have the support you need to recover after poor care, but it also helps women to get answers and reach some closure. Some women outside of the original recall have experienced devastating failures – including cancer that was missed or treatment that was unnecessarily invasive. We believe this is evidence that the Trust’s review may not go far enough, and that County Durham and Darlington NHS Trust should widen its recall and proactively contact all patients who could be at risk. In the meantime, we encourage anyone with concerns about their breast cancer treatment to come forward for advice.

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Our team are ranked leaders in medical negligence and group action law.

Why choose Fletchers for your breast care claim?

Cases involving systemic failures within an NHS Trust require specialist experience and the infrastructure to handle large-scale group actions effectively. At Fletchers, our dedicated group action team has the expertise, resources and track record to manage complex, multi-party claims - giving every client the individual attention and support they deserve, alongside the strength of a coordinated legal effort.

Expertise you can rely on

Dedicated group action team with the infrastructure to manage large-scale NHS negligence cases
Specialist medical negligence solicitors with experience in breast cancer care claims
Ranked as leading lawyers by Legal 500 Directory 2024 in medical negligence and serious injury
Already acting for women affected by the County Durham & Darlington NHS Trust failures
Free case assessment with no obligation to proceed
Offices in Newcastle, with the ability to support clients across England and Wales
Rated excellent on Trustpilot by the clients we have supported
No win, no fee – so you can get advice and pursue your claim without financial risk

You're not alone

We understand what you're going through.

Learning that your breast cancer diagnosis, surgery or treatment may have been mismanaged or even unnecessary is devastating. We understand that this is a very distressing time, and we promise to guide you through this process in a sensitive and reassuring way. No one should have to navigate concerns related to negligent healthcare without a professional on-hand to provide guidance.

We’ve supported many women in your position. You’re likely to feel uncertain about whether your care was affected, and in most cases, treatment under County Durham & Darlington will have been appropriate. But we also know that there are clear examples where lapses in diagnosis or treatment have had serious and life-changing consequences. You should never feel afraid to ask questions about your care or request a review.

Our Newcastle team is available to listen to your concerns and offer you legal guidance – with no obligation to bring a claim forward. We supported Katie Driver, who chose to bravely share her experience with the BBC in the hope that speaking out will help prevent others from facing the same ordeal. We also supported Angela, who had a mastectomy at University Hospital of North Durham. During her third chemotherapy session, a serious incident happened when the drugs were delivered into her arm tissue instead of a vein, causing a chemical burn.

We also know that coming forward can feel daunting – particularly when you are still living with the physical and emotional effects of your treatment. But doing so may bring you the answers you deserve, and may also help prevent the same thing from happening to others. We promise to guide you through this with sensitivity and care – from the very first conversation.

People we’ve supported

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FAQs about County Durham & Darlington breast care claims

I haven't received a recall letter. Can I still come forward?

Yes. You do not need to have received a recall letter from the Trust to speak to us or bring a claim. We are already acting for women who were not included in the initial recall but who have since identified serious failures in their care. If you have concerns about your breast treatment at any hospital within County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, please get in touch. We will listen carefully and give you an honest assessment of your situation.

How do I know if my treatment was affected?

This is one of the most common questions we hear, and it is not always easy to answer without specialist review. The concerns raised so far include missed or delayed cancer diagnoses, mastectomies that may not have been clinically necessary, inadequate biopsy procedures, chemotherapy errors, and a failure to discuss all available treatment options with patients.

If any aspect of your breast cancer care felt wrong – or if you later developed cancer that you believe should have been caught earlier – it is worth speaking to us. We can help you understand what happened and whether your care fell below the standard you should have received.

How long do I have to make a claim?

In most medical negligence cases, you have three years from the date of the negligent treatment – or from the date you became aware that something may have gone wrong – to start a claim. There are some exceptions to this rule, for example where a claimant lacked mental capacity or where the person affected was a child at the time.

Given that some of the cases under review involve treatment going back several years, we would encourage you not to delay in seeking advice. We will tell you honestly whether a time limit applies to your situation.

What is a group action claim?

A group action is a collective legal case whereby the individual parties affected by a single incident – which may be the negligent actions of a particular surgeon or medical professional, or the negligent processes within a specific NHS Trust – are represented collectively by a specialist team.

Group actions are often more effective than individual claims in cases involving systemic failures, because they allow evidence to be pooled and can put greater pressure on the responsible organisation to acknowledge what has gone wrong. You will still be treated as an individual client, and your specific circumstances will always be at the centre of your case.

What does No Win No Fee mean?

No Win No Fee means that if your claim is unsuccessful, you will not be charged for our legal work. You can get advice, start a claim, and see it through to the end without paying anything upfront. If your claim is successful, our fees are recovered from the other side or from a small agreed percentage of your compensation. We will explain exactly how this works before you agree to anything.

What support is available to me during my claim?

Our team understands that pursuing a legal claim can feel like an additional burden at an already difficult time. We will keep you informed at every stage, explain what is happening in plain terms, and make sure you never feel left in the dark.

If you have received a recall letter from County Durham and Darlington NHS Trust, you can also contact their dedicated support line on 0191 333 2126 or by email at [email protected]. We would encourage you to keep a record of all communications you receive from the Trust, and to note any details about your appointments, tests, biopsies or treatment plans that you feel may be relevant.

How long will my claim take?

Medical negligence claims – and group actions in particular – can take time to resolve. The length of your claim will depend on the complexity of your case, the number of people involved in the group action, and how quickly the Trust responds to the legal process. We will keep you updated throughout and give you a realistic picture of timescales as your case progresses. Our aim is always to resolve cases as efficiently as possible without compromising the outcome.

How do I join your group action and access support?

It takes just one call to see if we are able to help. The National patient safety alert advises that all clinics are in the process of contacting people who have been affected and will be arranging an IOP assessment. The recalled IOLs have been used in around 5% of procedures in the UK in the last four months so many people will be completely unaffected. However, 100s of people have been negatively impacted and if you have experienced any eye symptoms, from minor discomfort and pain to serious issues with vision – we’d recommend seeking medical advice straight away, and that you get in touch with us for advice about whether you have a claim and are entitled to compensation and register your interest in joining our group action. Our specialist team will support you throughout the lifetime of your case, and keep you informed every step of the way.

What is the background on breast surgery patients at County Durham & Darlington?

Breast cancer patients who have received treatment at hospitals within the County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, may now be receiving recall letters following serious concerns about the safety and effectiveness of breast cancer care.

In light of this, a new BBC investigation has highlighted long-standing and serious concerns about breast cancer care at County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust. The documentary reveals that problems with patient treatment and clinical governance stretch back many years, raising urgent questions about how these issues went unchecked for so long.

At Fletchers Solicitors, we represent a number of women affected by these failings, including our client Kate Driver, who chose to bravely share her experience with the BBC in the hope that speaking out will help prevent others from facing the same ordeal.

Learning that your breast cancer treatment, diagnosis or surgery may have been delayed, mismanaged or unnecessary can be devastating – and we are here to provide guidance and support at every stage.

You can watch the BBC investigation, and learn more about Katie’s experience, here.

What has the impact been on patients in the North East?

The Trust has announced a full review of its breast services after external reviewers highlighted that some patients may have received inappropriate or ineffective treatment.

The NHS has acknowledged that patients have suffered harm. Based on early findings, the most affected groups include:

Patients who may have undergone unnecessary or excessive surgery
Patients who received inadequate biopsy samples
Patients whose biopsies may have missed diseased tissue

The Royal College of Surgeons’ report has already revealed troubling issues, including missed cancer diagnoses, mastectomies that may not have been necessary, and failures to offer chemotherapy when it should have been considered.