Up to 10,000 NHS breast cancer cases at County Durham and Darlington Foundation Trust could be reviewed after investigators found that 20 women underwent mastectomies they may not have needed. A review of 514 cases found harm in 315 patients, including 77 who suffered significant harm, while one patient is known to have died; concerns include excessive or outdated surgery and missed or delayed diagnoses.

The trust is considering examining cases dating back to 2015, alongside 640 former patients who have contacted its helpline. Consultant surgeon Amir Bhatti has been suspended from clinical practice, while Durham Police and the National Crime Agency are investigating possible criminal offences; the trust also spent almost £6 million on private diagnostic and surgical companies linked to him, raising conflict-of-interest concerns.