The government has issued a fresh statement in relation to the breast cancer scandal that has potentially impacted thousands of women at the County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust.
The Trust is currently reviewing the care of 1,500 patients after a report, released last year, identified a “decade of systemic failures," while the NHS have confirmed that investigations have shown that numerous women experienced 'serious harm'.
Campaigners have continued to call for how long a lookback exercise into the Trust should last and have reiterated questions to the government about securing a public inquiry into the care previously provided by the breast cancer service.
A County Durham and Darlington NHS Trust sign
(Image: NORTHERN ECHO)
Durham Police is investigating whether criminal offences may have taken place. At the same time, former breast services clinical lead Amir Ahmed Bhatti remains employed by the trust on full pay but is barred from clinical work.
In June, The Northern Echo called on then health secretary James Murray not to turn a blind eye to the situation.
The paper has now asked current health secretary Yvette Cooper about whether she would call a public inquiry into the breast cancer situation at the Trust.
Amir Bhatti, former clinical lead at the NHS Trust
(Image: SUPPLIED)
Responding, the government haven't given any clarity about the inquiry, but has confirmed that NHS England and the Care Quality Commission are working with the Trust and cannot comment further while investigations take place.
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “Our thoughts are with the women and families affected by these unacceptable failings in care, but we cannot comment further on those past failings while the current investigation is ongoing.
“In the interim though, County Durham and Darlington NHS Trust is working urgently with NHS England, the Care Quality Commission and independent experts to address the issues that have occurred, and ensure that all future patients receive the quality and safety of care that they deserve, in line with our National Cancer Plan.”
Chief executive of the County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, Steve Russell
(Image: Chris Booth/NORTHERN ECHO)
Earlier this month, this paper sat down with the chief executive of the NHS Trust, Steve Russell, to ask him about the breast cancer care previously and currently.
He said: "We want to support the women affected and their families, give them the answers that they want about their care, and make sure women who would benefit receive further support or treatment.
Health Secretary Yvette Cooper
(Image: Annabel Lee-Ellis/PA Wire)
"We must ensure the service women access now is very different from the service that harmed women historically."
Former breast services clinical lead Amir Ahmed Bhatti, who remains employed by County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust on full pay, but is currently barred from carrying out any clinical work while investigations continue.
Chief executive of the County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, Steve Russell with senior reporter of The Northern Echo, Patrick Gouldsbrough
(Image: Chris Booth/NORTHERN ECHO)
A lot of the controversy involves Mr Bhatti, who has worked for the Trust since 2005, and was first restricted from carrying out breast cancer surgery in February 2025 following concerns raised during the breast service investigation.
Mr Bhatti attempted to challenge those restrictions in the High Court earlier this year but lost.
Responding to concerns about the former breast care lead, Mr Russell said: "The trust restricted Mr Bhatti from clinical practice around October or November. We extended a restriction that initially covered breast services to the rest of his clinical practice.
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"He can undertake non-clinical duties but is restricted from entering the area where women attending the breast service are seen and treated.
"We are investigating the concerns under our policies. That remains ongoing and has taken longer than any of us would have liked for several reasons.
"That is not an excuse, but I hope we are close to concluding the investigative stage. That does not mean the entire process is finished, but I hope that we're coming to conclude the investigation."