Overview
- An independent review by governance expert Mary Aubrey found years of missed warnings, weak oversight and a culture that discouraged speaking up, leading to avoidable harm including missed cancers and unnecessary operations.
- Interim chair Alison Marshall and chief executive Steve Russell issued public apologies, accepted all findings and said the organisation is undergoing a reset to prevent a repeat of the failures.
- The trust has launched an action plan built around 30 recommendations grouped into six areas, covering leadership and governance, clinical arrangements, culture, medical staff support, appraisal and stabilising the service.
- At the board meeting, leaders detailed concrete changes such as recruiting external oncoplastic surgeons, creating a one‑stop breast service with upgraded equipment, adopting updated techniques and introducing patient‑initiated follow‑up and specialist clinics.
- Independent assurance is in place with NHS England, the Care Quality Commission and the regional ICB, the trust has opened a dedicated helpline and email for patients, and case reviews and legal actions from affected women continue.