Police probe breast cancer treatment allegations

A police force is investigating allegations surrounding breast cancer treatment at a hospital trust.

Durham Police is working to establish if any criminal offences were committed in light of concerns over the care of patients at the County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust (CDDFT).

A report last year found unnecessary surgeries were carried out, cancers were missed and poor standards of care were delivered at the University Hospital of North Durham and Darlington Memorial Hospital.

CDDTF said it wanted to support the patients it had let down, including by offering access to psychological support, and to ensure they knew how to make a claim or raise concerns with police.

The Durham force has opened a portal, external where anyone can report their concerns if they believe they are a victim of crime as a result of breast cancer treatment at the trust between 2023 and 2025.

A police spokesman said: "We would stress that the investigation remains in its early stages and detectives from the major crime team are liaising with the trust, which is supporting the inquiry."

Solicitor Hayley Collinson said she had been supporting women who believed they had been affected by delayed diagnosis, had mastectomies they did not require, and patients who had not been offered reconstructions when they should have."

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Source: BBC News, 12 March 2026