A scandal-hit NHS trust has been told it should be taken over by another organisation because its reputation is “in tatters."
Cllr Dominic Haney questioned whether County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust (CDDFT) should be taken over by Newcastle Hospitals or another NHS trust as concerns continue over its breast cancer service.
The latest criticism comes after a review into breast cancer treatment at CDDFT, which saw a decade of missed warnings, ignored red flags and “systemic failures”, will be extended to a further 4,500 patients.
Damning reports revealed hundreds of women have been harmed, one woman died, and 20 women underwent unnecessary mastectomies.
At the centre of the scandal is former breast surgery lead at the trust, Amir Bhatti, who was barred from surgery in February 2025 before the restrictions were widened later that year to stop him carrying out any clinical work.
Speaking at Durham County Council's Adult, Wellbeing and Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee on Friday (October 16), Cllr Haney told trust chief executive Steve Russell: “This trust's reputation is in tatters.
"You've got no money, you've got clinical governance problems that might not be isolated.
“Would it not be better for everybody involved for this trust to be taken over by Newcastle or some other trust?”
CEO of the County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, Steve Russell. (Image: Chris Booth)
Mr Russell rejected the suggestion, telling councillors: “I don't think the takeover of an organisation would solve the problems, to be honest.
“Every trust has some difficulties, additional challenges.
“That's not to diminish the scale of the challenges that we've found.”
The trust's own breast services update says it is already working more closely with Newcastle Hospitals as part of changes to its service.
County Durham NHS bosses faced a grilling at a council scrutiny meeting. (R-L): Gill Hunt, chief nurse; Steve Russell, chief executive; Kelly Angus, deputy chief executive. (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)
Call for public inquiry
Cllr Haney also joined growing calls for a public inquiry, describing the situation as a “national scandal”.
He said: “I think there should be a public inquiry because this is frankly a national scandal that shouldn't be allowed to happen.
“I really feel for those women and men who might be waiting for that phone call and are going to be waiting for a very long time.”
It comes after The Northern Echo warned that only an inquiry with the power to compel evidence, examine leadership decisions and follow the paper trail can establish how such failures were allowed to develop, deepen and persist.
Mr Russell, who sat down for an interview with The Northern Echo in August, said the decision over whether to hold a public inquiry rested with the Government rather than the trust.
“From our perspective we understand why people think it's important and if a decision is made for an inquiry we'll cooperate fully with it.”
Mr Russell added that he had met a number of women affected and said some of the things patients wanted may not be achievable through a public inquiry.
“That doesn't mean that it shouldn't happen, but it's a matter for somebody else to make a decision on,” he said.
(Image: Chris Booth)
The latest figures presented by the trust show that 321 of 539 completed reviews recorded some level of harm, compared with 218 which recorded no harm.
The 321 includes 242 cases of minor harm, 59 moderate, 19 severe and one death.
Further reviews remain outstanding.
Investigation into surgeon continuing
Councillors also questioned the trust over its investigation into former breast surgery lead Amir Bhatti, after a Northern Echo investigation revealed he remains on full pay while on sick leave.
Cllr Mark Wilkes asked Mr Russell when the disciplinary investigations would conclude and “at what point the public aren't going to be paying this person for not doing any work?”
The investigation into Dr Amir Bhatti has 'taken longer than any of us would like', Mr Russell said. (Image: SUBMIT)
Mr Russell said restrictions were first imposed in February 2025 and were later extended after he arrived at the trust.
He said: “It's important that we conduct the investigations in a full and fair way.
“It has taken longer than any of us would like.
"I can't give you a specific timeframe, but we believe we're coming to the conclusion of the investigation.”
Pressure also remains on the current breast service.
Trust figures show a backlog of 197 patients and an average wait of six weeks, with staff shortages and sickness affecting capacity.
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At Friday's meeting, trust bosses were unable to say what the longest current wait for breast cancer treatment was, but promised to write to councillors to explain.
The trust's review is meanwhile being extended backwards in stages towards 2015.
Its helpline will remain open for patients who want their cases reviewed.