THREE years after the death of a young mother at Basildon Hospital – and in the wake of news this week that another mum-to-be has died, more criticism has been heaped on the Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, which also runs Southend and Broomfield hospitals.

As reported on Nub News yesterday (Sunday, 27 March) , an investigation is ongoing following the latest death of a mum in labour at Basildon.

That has prompted a comment from Stephanie Prior, head of clinical negligence at Osbornes Law who represented the family of Thurrock resident Gabriela Pintilie who died in the unit in 2019. She said: "It is three years since Gabriela died unnecessarily following a caesarean section.

"It is imperative action is taken immediately to prevent any more mothers or babies dying at the hospital."

Other serious incidents, involving a baby at Basildon Hospital, a baby at Broomfield and a mother and baby also at Broomfield, occurred during November to January and have raised widespread concerns – though within the regional medical managerial empire, issues appear to have been played down.

A Mid and South Essex Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) board meeting last week, where there was made no reference to the latest death, said Basildon Hospital maternity unit was due a visit by watchdog the Care Quality Commission this week.

The meeting heard a subsequent report is expected to show the trust is not fully compliant with earlier recommendations.

Stephen Mayo, from Thurrock Clinical Commissioning Group, said: "It's an extremely busy time in maternity to ensure the safety of our mothers and babies.

"Regarding the Care Quality Commission, the overall rating for the trust remains as Requires Improvement. However, on a more positive note there is the removal of the Inadequate rating for maternity at Basildon Hospital."

Viv Barnes from NHS Mid Essex Clinical Commissioning Group, said: "There is an extreme focus on Basildon, and I don't think to the detriment of Broomfield and Southend.

"However, there have been some issues at Southend and the national team that were supporting Basildon have agreed to continue to support all three sites. There's a huge amount of work going on."