The trust said patients with ILD were contacted in 2024 and had their care reviewed by a specialist team of doctors and nurses to ensure they were on the right treatment plan.

After the report, it said that it would further examine the care of another 203 of Varney’s ILD patients, work expected to take up to two years.

Solicitors acting for patients want that work handed to independent reviewers rather than be carried out by the trust.

Dr Richard Jennings, group chief medical officer of the trust, said: “The Royal College of Physicians’ independent review looked at a sample of patients and made recommendations, all of which we have accepted and acted on – we will now undertake a comprehensive review of the care provided to all patients treated for ILD by this doctor since 2019.

“This will follow the RCP’s methods to ensure it is thorough, transparent and clinically robust. We have written to our patients, or their families, to explain this, to offer our sincere apologies for the failings in care described by the RCP, and to invite them to discuss any concerns they may have with us.”

Maria Repanos, of Hudgell Solicitors, said: “This review should ultimately be led by external independent experts.

“Families have a right to transparency in respect of the investigation process and to feel reassured that no stone will be left unturned in the review into their cases, or that of their loved ones.

“A review process which is not external, objective and independent cannot offer that reassurance at all. The trust between the hospital and patients has already been broken.”

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