Durham and Darlington Breast Cancer Review: Can You Claim?

Last updated: 6 October 2026. 

County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust agreed on 24 September 2026 to extend its breast cancer look-back review by up to 4,500 cases, back to patients treated from 2015. If you had breast cancer care there and suspect delayed diagnosis or unnecessary surgery, you can take independent legal advice now, without waiting for the review.

Call Medical Negligence Consultants on 0800 612 4970 for a free consultation, or request a call-back below.

What has happened at the Durham breast service?

The Trust has confirmed that 20 women had unnecessary mastectomies. Its review has also found excessive surgery, missed or delayed diagnoses and care that did not follow best practice. Hundreds of patients have been found to have suffered some degree of harm. Not every case reviewed involves negligence, so each patient’s care is assessed individually.

The concerns identified include:

• Unnecessary mastectomies
• Excessive or unnecessary breast surgery
• Delayed or missed breast cancer diagnosis
• Treatment not in line with best practice
• Patients not offered immediate breast reconstruction
• Unnecessary surgery for benign conditions
• Outdated diagnostic practices

The scale of the problem was set out in an independent Royal College of Surgeons review of the breast surgery service, as reported by BBC News, decision to extend the review on 24 September 2026.

Which years does the Durham breast cancer review cover?

The review first covers treatment from January 2023 to February 2025. The Trust will then work backwards one year at a time, from 2022 to 2015, assessing findings before it extends each step. BBC reporting estimates the full extension could take around five years to complete.

Do I have to wait for the NHS review before making a claim?

No. You can ask for independent legal advice at any time. A specialist medical negligence solicitor can request your medical records, instruct independent medical experts and advise whether your care fell below an acceptable standard, while the Trust’s review continues.

How do I know if my care was affected?

You may be affected if you had breast cancer investigation, diagnosis or treatment through the Trust from 2015 onwards and any of these apply:

• You had a mastectomy and now question whether it was necessary
• You were told you had a benign condition but had major surgery
• Your diagnosis was delayed or your cancer was missed
• You were not offered breast-conserving surgery or reconstruction
• Your cancer progressed after a delay

What can Medical Negligence Consultants do for me?

Medical Negligence Consultants arranges a free consultation, then helps appoint a specialist medical negligence solicitor to obtain your records and, where appropriate, independent medical evidence. The solicitor then advises whether mistakes were made and whether they caused you harm.

What compensation could I claim?

Compensation in a medical negligence claim can cover pain and suffering, psychological injury, scarring and disfigurement, additional or reconstructive treatment, loss of earnings and future care. The amount depends on the harm your care caused, which a solicitor assesses after reviewing your records and medical evidence.

What is the time limit for a breast cancer negligence claim?

Claims in England and Wales usually must start within three years of the negligent treatment, or of the date you first knew it had caused you harm. Exceptions exist, including for children and people who lack mental capacity. Take advice early, because delay can make records and evidence harder to obtain.

Frequently asked questions

• Who could be affected by the Durham and Darlington breast cancer review? Anyone who had breast cancer investigation, diagnosis or treatment through County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust from 2015 onwards could be affected. The review currently covers January 2023 to February 2025 and is being extended backwards year by year to 2015.
• What has the review found so far? The Trust has confirmed that 20 women had unnecessary mastectomies. Reviews have also identified excessive surgery, missed or delayed diagnoses and treatment that did not follow best practice, and hundreds of patients have been found to have suffered some degree of harm.
• Do I have to wait for the NHS review before seeking legal advice? No. You can seek independent legal advice at any time. A specialist medical negligence solicitor can obtain your medical records and investigate your treatment while the Trust’s review continues.
• Does being included in the review mean my treatment was negligent? No. Thousands of cases are being reviewed and not every patient received negligent treatment. Each person’s care must be assessed individually to decide whether it fell below an acceptable standard and caused harm.
• How do I get my medical records? You can make a Subject Access Request to the Trust for your records, which is free. A solicitor can also request them on your behalf as part of investigating a claim.
• What is the time limit for a medical negligence claim? Claims in England and Wales usually must be started within three years of the negligent treatment or of when you first knew it had caused you harm. Exceptions exist, including for children and people who lack mental capacity, so take advice early.
• How much does it cost to find out if I have a claim? Medical Negligence Consultants offers a free consultation to discuss your treatment. Ask about funding arrangements for any claim during that call.

Were you treated by the Durham breast service from 2015 onwards?

If you need help finding out whether you have a case against the Trust, call Medical Negligence Consultants on 0800 612 4970 or request a call-back. Address: 9 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7HG.