A coroner is to examine whether delays in treating a young woman with sepsis following a routine operation contributed to her death.

Chloe Rideout, 20, went into hospital to have her appendix out and was discharged six days later, a pre-inquest hearing heard.

But Chloe's parents Dave and Sharon, both 51, called an ambulance the following day and she was rushed into the Royal Cornwall Hospital, where she died.

The pre-inquest hearing yesterday heard there were several central issues that will be discussed at the inquest into Chloe's death, which will be held in the new year.

Chloe, who worked for the Bay Hotel in Coverack, Cornwall, had been full of plans and had just got her visa to travel to Australia.

She initially attended Derriford Hospital in Plymouth, Devon, for her operation on October 7 and was discharged six days later.

The following day she fell ill at home and was rushed to the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro and passed away on October 20.

The issues being looked at include whether the care at Derriford was appropriate and if the decision to operate was correct and timely.

Other matters concerning the Plymouth hospital to be discussed include whether the "takeaway" medicine was appropriate and if the level of staffing was correct.

Also discussed will be whether the care Chloe received from the 111 emergency telephone service was appropriate and if there was a delay in her treatment.

Andrew Cox, acting senior coroner for Cornwall, also said a central issue would be whether the care provided by the out-of-hours medical service was appropriate and whether an ambulance should have been called.

The care provided at the Royal Cornwall Hospital would also be discussed, including whether there was a delay in going to theatre as well as a possible delay in diagnosis.

Independent medical experts will be called as witnesses.

At the culmination of the inquest, the coroner will decide whether there are any lessons to be learned from Chloe's death which could prevent any further fatalities in the future.