A BBC programme about breast services at County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust will be broadcast on the evening of Friday 18 September.
The programme will include the experiences of women affected by failings in the service. We recognise that hearing these experiences may be upsetting and distressing for patients and families, particularly those who have received breast care from the Trust.
The programme also includes interviews with our Chief Executive, Steve Russell, and Chief Nurse, Gill Hunt.
We remain deeply sorry to the women and families who have been harmed and let down by failings in our breast services.
There were opportunities when, as a Trust, we should have listened more carefully, asked more questions and acted sooner. We cannot change what happened, but we have a responsibility to be open about it, support those affected and make sure what we learn leads to lasting change.
We continue to focus on supporting the patients and families affected, completing the review of past care, and continuing to improve the service patients receive today.
Listening to and supporting women affected
We have been meeting and speaking directly with many of the women and patients affected by the review to listen to their experiences, answer questions and understand the impact on them and their families.
These conversations are important and will continue.
We recognise that Friday's programme and the wider discussion around breast services may cause further worry or distress.
Our dedicated patient support line and email remain open and will be available over the weekend following the programme.
Anyone with concerns about their breast care can contact the team on:
- Telephone: 0191 333 2126
- Email: cddft.
breastservices @nhs.net
Reviewing past care
The breast services look-back continues, supported by independent specialist clinical review.
Where a review identifies concerns about an individual patient's care, we will contact that person directly to explain what has been found, what it means for them and what further support or clinical care may be needed.
Patients do not need to contact us simply because they have previously received breast care from the Trust. However, anyone who is worried about their care can contact our dedicated support team.
We know this work is important to women and families who want answers about what happened. We will continue to be open about what we find and provide updates as the work progresses.
Breast services today
Alongside the look-back, significant changes have been made to the breast service.
The service patients receive today is very different from the service described in the independent reviews.
Changes include:
- Experienced external specialist leadership to support the stabilisation and transformation of the service;
- Two new specialist oncoplastic consultant breast surgeons;
- A multidisciplinary approach, with patients discussed by a full team of specialists;
- Care based on current national guidance;
- Improvements to one-stop breast assessment clinics;
- Investment in breast imaging, supported by external specialist radiology expertise;
- A dedicated breast pain clinic;
- Stronger clinical oversight and governance.
These changes are making a measurable difference for patients.
Recent data has shown that:
- The number of women requiring a mastectomy has reduced to the national average;
- Immediate breast reconstruction rates have tripled;
- The need for a second operation to fully remove a cancer has halved;
- More than 80% of patients now have their surgery as a day case;
- Fewer patients need diagnostic surgery;
- More than a third of cancer operations now use advanced oncoplastic techniques, supporting better recovery and cosmetic outcomes
These improvements matter, but we know that rebuilding trust takes time. There is more to do and that work continues.
Next steps for the look-back
An extraordinary meeting of the Trust Board will take place on Thursday 24 September to consider the future scope and timeframe of the breast services look-back.
The Board will consider the evidence, the options available and a recommendation before reaching a decision.
No final decision has yet been made. It is right that the Board considers this important issue openly and in public.
The meeting will take place at 9am at Prospect House, Durham, and will be livestreamed.
The Board paper and supporting information will be available in the Board Meetings and Papers section of the website ahead of the meeting.
Following the meeting, we will provide a further update explaining the Board's decision, what it means for the look-back and what happens next.