A Quebec coroner has recommended a hospital stop postponing routine procedures.

The recommendation is contained in a report on the death of a woman whose treatment was repeatedly delayed at Angrignon Hospital, in Verdun, a suburb of Montreal.

Pauline Lamouche, 66, died of complications from an aneurysm after spending nine months waiting for treatment.

Surgery continually put off

The problem was discovered in September, 1998. In December, she was referred for surgery, however, according to the coroner's report, the urgency of her case was not marked down on the form filled out by her doctor.

Six months later, in June of 1999, Lamouche arrived at Hotel-Dieu Hospital for an operation, but it was cancelled because of a nurses strike. The surgery was rescheduled for August, but was cancelled again, this time without any reason

A month later, Lamouche came back to the hospital with an infection, but no operating rooms were available.

A few days later, Lamouche came back with acute pain. She was rushed to hospital, but died the next day.

Lamouche's family plans a lawsuit against the hospital.