Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Patients Call for Judge-Led Inquiry into County Durham and Darlington Breast Service Failings

Campaigners say a judge-led probe with powers to compel sworn testimony is needed to expose decade-long clinical failings

Overview

  • Campaigners and about 90–100 affected women launched a petition in early June that has more than 1,500 signatures calling for a national public inquiry and reform of the Trust's breast services.
  • County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust has carried out a lookback of roughly 1,500 records and reported on June 3 that 389 reviews were complete with 65 cases judged to show moderate or severe harm and one death linked to concerns.
  • Durham Police opened a Major Crime Team investigation after receiving an allegation in November 2025 and has a public portal for potential victims, but detectives say the criminal probe remains at an early stage.
  • Former breast services clinical lead Amir Ahmed Bhatti remains barred from clinical work, employed on full pay, and lost a High Court bid on May 11 to overturn the Trust's restrictions.
  • Hudgell Solicitors representing affected women are pressing for a judge-led public inquiry that can compel evidence under oath and expand scrutiny beyond the Trust's current internal reviews, a demand that could prompt government action and wider checking of care going back before 2023.