CHANGES to the Teesside Coroner’s service should result in bereaved families not having to wait longer than 14 weeks for an inquest to be held, according to the latest information.

The retirement of Michael Sheffield has seen the backlog of cases drastically reduced since solicitor Clare Bailey took over temporary control.

Middlesbrough Council’s executive committee were told that on May 1 the Teesside Coroner’s Service fully implemented a new model to modernise the service and tackle delays in the listing of hearings.

Deputy Mayor Councillor David Budd welcomed the improvements saying: “Significant progress continues to be made in reducing the existing backlog of inquests, and making the service more effective and efficient.

“Bereaved relatives and families have had to endure unacceptable delays, but I’m pleased to say that performance is improving, and the Coroners are working to resolve outstanding cases as quickly as we can.

“A number of recommendations will now be considered to ensure the process of modernisation and improvement continues, including the possibility of a merged service with Hartlepool.”

The Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice Chris Grayling has indicated that Middlesbrough should liaise with its neighbouring local authorities, partners and Cleveland Police and draw up a business case regarding the option of merging the two Coroner’s Areas of Teesside and Hartlepool.

Hartlepool Senior Coroner Malcolm Donnelly, who is currently the assistant coroner, has focused on progressing the backlog of enhanced cases and all these cases have now been reviewed and most are now listed for inquest.

Middlesbrough MP Andy McDonald welcomed the news. He said: “I am pleased to see that the backlog in coroner’s inquests has been so effectively reduced from 404 to 130 cases. No doubt many bereaved families will be very much appreciative of the efforts of the Hartlepool Senior Coroner Malcolm Donnelly and the Acting Teesside Coroner Clare Bailey in achieving such a dramatic turnaround.

“Given this significant progress we will need to examine the proposal for a merger of the Teesside and Hartlepool Coroner’s Services.”

Mr Sheffield retired at the end of April after 40 years in the job.