Family faces a new inquest delay

Elaine died in November 2001

The family of a Teesside woman who died after a routine operation are facing another delay in finding out what caused her death.

Elaine Basham, 33, of Loftus, died in November 2001 at Middlesbrough's North Riding Infirmary after the operation to have her tonsils and adenoids removed.

Miss Basham, who had Down's Syndrome, suffered bleeding after the procedure.

A jury inquest had been due to start on Tuesday at Teesside coroner's court but it has now been adjourned.

The family's solicitor Richard Follis, from Alexander Harris, said: "It is now three years and three months since Elaine died and her family continue to suffer enormously from constantly having long-ago events revived and discussed."