The main watchdog of the NHS in England has launched an in-depth urgent inspection at a trust after 79 women were recalled for breast clinic appointments amid concerns over breast cancer biopsies carried out there.

Monitor, the independent regulator of NHS foundation trusts, has asked the NHS watchdog the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to carry out what it calls a “deep dive” inspection at Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in Nottinghamshire.

The inspection, which began on 8 October, will look at breast cancer screening, pathology, and clinical governance at the trust.

The trust has invited 79 women to come back for breast clinic appointments to discuss test results relating to breast tissue biopsies and to …