AN INVESTIGATION has been launched after a woman died during childbirth at Basildon Hospital's maternity unit.

It is the third death of a mother in the last three years at the much-criticised unit, in addition to the death of a new-born baby. The unit only had its rating by health and care regulator the Care Quality Commission (CQC) upgraded from 'Inadequate' to 'Requires Improvement' last December (2021). The inadequate rating was put in place failings found in six serious cases.

It is understood that the latest fatality is of a woman who was at least 28 weeks into her pregnancy.

In a statement a spokesman for hospital bosses said: "Our condolences go out to the family in this very sad case, as it is currently under investigation, we are unable to make further comment.

"The safety of mums and babies while using our maternity services is our priority, and we strive to always offer the very best care."

The latest fatality follows the death of Thurrock resident Gabriela Pintilie, 36, who gave birth to her daughter in February 2019, but died the following day at Basildon Hospital after medics failed to provide a vital blood transfusion. Her baby girl survived.

It also comes after the death of a mother and a baby in separate incidents at the unit in March 2019, while the trust was being inspected by the CQC following Ms Pintilie's death.

The hospital also apologised for the death of new-born Frederick Terry after he suffered a brain haemorrhage and fractured skull during a failed forceps delivery in November 2020.

The hospital's maternity unit has been the subject of much media coverage, including a Channel 4 News investigation that reported grieving parents whose babies have been injured or died felt that they are not being heard or listened to by the Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the hospital and also Southend and Broomfield hospitals.

The investigation revealed that the trust has paid out more than £103 million in compensation claims in 176 cases.

When the maternity unit was first downgraded, The Care Quality Commission (CQC), rated the Basildon University Hospital maternity unit 'inadequate' with six serious failures. The report found six babies were born in a poor condition and then transferred for cooling therapy, which can be offered for new-born babies with brain injury caused by oxygen shortage during birth.

Only last week it was revealed that two babies had to be transferred to another trust for 'cooling' treatment this month (march), to protect their brains after delivery. The trust confirmed this is not a regular event "but not uncommon".

A CQC spokesman said: "We are aware a pregnant woman sadly died on Basildon Hospital's maternity unit. Her death is being investigated by the trust.

"We continue to monitor the trust, along with all the services we regulate, to ensure people receive the safe and effective care and treatment they have a right to expect."