News
November 27, 2025
North East woman hits out at 'appalling' breast cancer care as review highlights NHS failures
Catriona McEvoy was diagnosed with cancer in 2023 - she claims to have been treated appallingly at the University Hospital of North Durham
**North East Woman Voices Outrage at 'Appalling' Breast Cancer Care as Review Highlights NHS Failures**
A North East woman is speaking out about her "appalling" experience with breast cancer care at the University Hospital of North Durham, adding her voice to growing concerns about the quality of NHS services in the region. Catriona McEvoy, diagnosed with breast cancer in 2023, alleges significant failures in her treatment, leaving her feeling let down and unsupported during an incredibly vulnerable time.
McEvoy’s criticisms come as a broader review highlights systemic issues within the NHS, raising questions about patient care and resource allocation. While the specific details of the review remain confidential, its findings reportedly underscore the challenges faced by healthcare providers in delivering timely and effective treatment to cancer patients.
McEvoy claims that from the moment of her diagnosis, she encountered a series of shortcomings that negatively impacted her experience. She alleges delays in scheduling appointments, inadequate communication from medical staff, and a general lack of empathy and understanding regarding her emotional and physical needs. The cumulative effect, she says, left her feeling like just another number in a system struggling to cope with demand.
"It's not just about the medical treatment, although that was obviously crucial," McEvoy explained. "It's about the whole experience. It's about feeling heard, feeling supported, and feeling like the people caring for you actually understand what you're going through. I felt none of that."
Her story highlights the human cost of NHS failures and the potentially devastating impact on individuals already grappling with a life-threatening illness. While McEvoy acknowledges the dedication and hard work of many healthcare professionals, she believes that systemic problems are preventing them from providing the level of care patients deserve.
McEvoy hopes that by sharing her experience, she can raise awareness of the issues within the University Hospital of North Durham and encourage improvements to ensure that future cancer patients receive the compassionate and effective care they need. She is urging hospital administrators and NHS leaders to take her concerns seriously and implement meaningful changes to address the shortcomings she witnessed firsthand. The University Hospital of North Durham has yet to respond to requests for comment regarding McEvoy's allegations.
A North East woman is speaking out about her "appalling" experience with breast cancer care at the University Hospital of North Durham, adding her voice to growing concerns about the quality of NHS services in the region. Catriona McEvoy, diagnosed with breast cancer in 2023, alleges significant failures in her treatment, leaving her feeling let down and unsupported during an incredibly vulnerable time.
McEvoy’s criticisms come as a broader review highlights systemic issues within the NHS, raising questions about patient care and resource allocation. While the specific details of the review remain confidential, its findings reportedly underscore the challenges faced by healthcare providers in delivering timely and effective treatment to cancer patients.
McEvoy claims that from the moment of her diagnosis, she encountered a series of shortcomings that negatively impacted her experience. She alleges delays in scheduling appointments, inadequate communication from medical staff, and a general lack of empathy and understanding regarding her emotional and physical needs. The cumulative effect, she says, left her feeling like just another number in a system struggling to cope with demand.
"It's not just about the medical treatment, although that was obviously crucial," McEvoy explained. "It's about the whole experience. It's about feeling heard, feeling supported, and feeling like the people caring for you actually understand what you're going through. I felt none of that."
Her story highlights the human cost of NHS failures and the potentially devastating impact on individuals already grappling with a life-threatening illness. While McEvoy acknowledges the dedication and hard work of many healthcare professionals, she believes that systemic problems are preventing them from providing the level of care patients deserve.
McEvoy hopes that by sharing her experience, she can raise awareness of the issues within the University Hospital of North Durham and encourage improvements to ensure that future cancer patients receive the compassionate and effective care they need. She is urging hospital administrators and NHS leaders to take her concerns seriously and implement meaningful changes to address the shortcomings she witnessed firsthand. The University Hospital of North Durham has yet to respond to requests for comment regarding McEvoy's allegations.
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Politics