Sharon Barbour
BBC Local Investigations
BBC
Solicitor Chloe Gibson says thousands of women could have been affected
Concerns are escalating regarding women’s breast cancer care within the County Durham and Darlington Foundation Trust (CDDFT). A legal firm has reported a steady influx of inquiries from women seeking clarification about the quality of their treatment.
Investigations have revealed alarming issues, including unnecessary mastectomies, delays in diagnoses, and a general lack of compassionate care. Currently, over 200 cases are under scrutiny, with at least 43 linked to significant harm and one resulting in a fatality.
Chloe Gibson, a solicitor with Slater and Gordon, stated, “Something has gone drastically wrong,” further emphasizing that the affected women deserve answers regarding their care.
The law firm represents a growing number of clients and anticipates that the situation could impact thousands of women. Gibson highlighted, “They’ve gone through cancer first of all, which is such a terrible thing to go through, but now they’re being told the care that they received may not have been right. It’s appalling.”
Currently, nearly 1,600 patient medical records are under examination, focusing on treatment provided since 2023. An independent review revealed ongoing concerns have existed since 2012, when the trust lost its training center status for breast surgery.
CDDFT has issued an apology to the women and families harmed by their inadequate care, acknowledging that numerous warning signs were either ignored or unaddressed over many years.
For those affected by cancer, resources are available. The BBC Action Line provides access to a range of organizations that may offer assistance.
