Disposable surgical instruments caused a woman's death and hampered efforts to save her life, an inquest jury ruled yesterday.

The verdict came at the end of a much-delayed inquest on 33-year-old Elaine Basham, from Loftus, east Cleveland, who died in November 2001.

Miss Basham, who had Down's syndrome, died ten days after surgery to remove her tonsils and adenoids at the now-closed North Riding Infirmary, in Middlesbrough.

After the operation, using single-use diathermy forceps introduced to prevent the spread of vCJD, the human form of mad cow disease, Miss Basham repeatedly haemorrhaged and had three cardiac arrests. Doctors tried to use the same type of electric forceps to stem the bleeding, but had to use stitches instead when the instrument malfunctioned.

Miss Basham died from multiple organ failure in the intensive care unit of The James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough, on November 15.

The family's lawyer, Richard Follis, criticised the Department of Health for ordering surgeons to switch to disposable instruments in January 2001 at the height of the vCJD scare before adequate supplies of high quality equipment were available. Almost immediately there were complaints by surgeons about the quality and reliability of these instruments.

But it was only after Miss Basham's death that the Department of Health ordered surgeons to revert to re-usable instruments.

The family is taking legal action on the grounds of medical negligence.

During the inquest, Professor Pat Troop, who was then deputy chief medical officer, said the instruments were withdrawn because patient safety was compromised.

He said there were other concerns over Miss Basham's treatment, such as a blockage in a breathing tube, concerns over consent and why she was made to lie back when she was choking.

Mr Follis said another North-East family had contacted him in the past few days with a similar case.

Professor Mike Bramble, medical director of the South Tees NHS Trust, said: "Staff were shocked and saddened by Miss Basham's death and did everything possible to try to save her.

"We hope the inquest has helped to answer some of the questions the family had and our deepest sympathies are with them."