A MOTHER whose daughter died after a routine operation nearly four years ago fears she may never find out what went wrong after an inquest was postponed for the second time.

The delay has devastated the family of Elaine Basham, from Loftus, east Cleveland, who died aged 33 after an operation to remove her tonsils and adenoids in November 2001.

The postponement triggered renewed criticism by North-East MPs of Teesside Coroner Michael Sheffield, who was severely reprimanded last year after a backlog of cases had built up.

The surgeons who operated on Ms Basham at the now closed North Riding Infirmary, in Middlesbrough, used controversial disposable instruments brought in because of fears that traditional instruments could spread the human version of mad cow disease, vCJD.

After Ms Basham's death and other reports of problems, surgeons in England were told to go back to using conventional re-usable equipment.

But surgeons in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are still being advised to continue using the disposable instruments to remove tonsils and adenoids.

Ms Basham's mother, Julie, has had an agonising wait since her daughter's death.

Elaine Basham developed complications during the op eration and died despite efforts to save her.

The inquest was due in February, but a week before it was to start, the family was told it had been postponed.

A new date of July 25 was set, but now the family has been given the news that the inquest has been postponed again. It is understood a key witness is out of the country.

Ms Basham's sister, Angela Libbey, said: "Our dad passed away in 2003 without knowing what exactly happened to Elaine. Our mam worries that it will be the same for her."

Their solicitor, Richard Follis, of law firm Alexander Harris, said: "The family continues to suffer enormously. They have grave concerns surrounding Elaine's death which will continue until the inquest addresses them."

It was expected the inquest would shed light on whether the Government's medical advisors were right to tell surgeons to use disposable instruments.

Unusually, Mr Sheffield ordered a jury inquest into Ms Basham's death.

In UK law, a jury must sit when there is reason to suspect that death occurred in circumstances which could pose a safety threat.

Five months before Ms Basham's operation, a boy in Cheshire died after re-usable instruments were used.

Shortly after Ms Basham's death, health officials told surgeons in England not to use single-use instruments during ear, nose and throat operations.

Vera Baird, MP for Redcar, who tabled a question in Parliament asking for assurances that Teessiders would receive a better service from their coroner, said of the delay: "This appears to be a gross error which will cause this vulnerable family great pain."

East Cleveland MP Ashok Kumar, said: "Clearly, from what I have been told this is a very serious and grave case, and one that has obviously caused great anguish for the family.

"If the family make direct contact with me, I will take the issue up directly with the coroner and - if needed - with Government ministers who oversee the Coroner Service."

Michael Summers, chairman of the Patients Association, said it was regrettable that it had taken so long for an inquest to take place and he looked forward to the results of the inquest.

A spokeswoman for the Teesside coroner said they were unable to comment on individual cases.

Waiting for answers - Page 1