Breast cancer surgeon loses legal bid to practise
BBCA consultant at the centre of a breast cancer care scandal has lost his bid to resume his clinical practise at a Durham trust.
Last year the County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust (CDDFT) announced an investigation into the care of breast cancer patients after it was found there were cases of missed cancers and unnecessary mastectomies.
Mr Amir Bhatti, the former clinical lead for breast cancer surgery at the trust, was stopped from seeing patients while investigations took place and now the High Court has rejected his attempt to overturn restrictions.
Bhatti said he was cooperating with the trust's investigations and he could not comment while they were ongoing.
The court heard the restrictions were introduced in February 2025 following patient safety concerns linked to the trust's breast surgery investigation.
Those restrictions were later widened to prevent him carrying out any clinical practice over concerns about his refusal to fully engage with retraining measures.
In its judgement, the court found there was "no serious issue" with the trust's decisions, which it said were "based on patient safety concerns and ongoing investigations".
Bhatti was also ordered to pay legal costs.
He is still employed by the trust on full pay while an investigation continues.
CDDFT CEO Steve Russell said: "The restrictions were introduced by the trust on patient safety grounds while investigations and patient reviews continue.
"We continue to believe this was the right action in light of the patient experiences we have heard and continue to hear through the review process."
Russell said "significant changes" had been made in the past year which were "now leading to better outcomes for patients".
"Our focus remains on providing safe, high-quality care for our communities," he added.
