THE chief executive of Basildon & Thurrock Hospital has assured Thurrock councillors that its maternity unit is improving the quality of its care to mothers and babies.

The hospital service has been much maligned and has been the subject of more than one damning Care Quality commission report.

However, at Thursday's (4 March) meeting of Thurrock Council's health overview and scrutiny committee Clare Panniker addressed councillors and face questions of how the service was faring. She also presented a detailed report

She said: "The cultural change in the unit will take some time but the major capital project has started to improve the environment.

"We have some new leadership including a new clinical director starting in April and we are out to recruit for a director of midwifery.

"I have someone starting in April called April Brown who will be an improvement director. We will ensure thing are absolutely robust and fit for purpose."

Committee chair Cllr Shane Ralph said: "I am encouraged by what you are saying, even more so that want was in the report, hearing you speak about it is encouraging.

Cllr Sara Muldowney said: "There is obviously progress being made. I thought in general the report answered a lot of my criticisms. I can see that looking after mums runs through the heart of what you are doing."

Cllr Joy Redsell said: "You seem to be learning from the mistakes as you are going along."

You can watch the meeting via this link.