MATERNITY units at south Essex hospitals, including Basildon Hospital, are still battling senior staff shortages years after being ordered to make improvements following the death of a mother.

A new report says that up to six consultants are needed to bring the hospitals up to senior staffing levels required.

The Mid and South Essex Hospital Trust, which includes Basildon, Southend and Broomfield hospitals, is also battling a shortage of midwives.

The latest report to the trust's board said: "There remain midwifery workforce challenges at all three maternity units. The trust would require another four to six consultants to be compliant with recommendations.

"A business case is being prepared to address the additional requirements."

The report does say that Basildon Hospital has seen some improvement in the workforce following a recruitment campaign.

A "clinical lead" post has been appointed at Basildon but a clinical director post is still vacant. A new director of midwifery has started in her post.

The Basildon maternity unit was rated inadequate by the Care Quality Commission in August 2020. Inspectors found a cluster of six serious incidents where babies were born in a poor condition during an inspection in June that year.

Grays resident Gabriela Pintilie, 36, gave birth to her daughter at Basildon Hospital in February 2019, but died the following day after medics failed to provide a vital blood transfusion.

The care quality commision carried out an unannounced inspection of Southend, Basildon and Broomfield hospitals in July and August last year.

They rated the trust overall as requires improvement but the inadequate rating for maternity services, was replaced with a "requires improvement" rating.

A spokesman for the trust said: "The trust has almost 40 maternity consultants, with three more in the process of joining.

It is anticipated that that we will need only 4-6 further consultants, who are being actively recruited.

"We have recruited 40 newly qualified midwives, a consultant midwife, practice development midwives and maternity care assistants. The Trust has also secured almost £2 million in funding for the further recruitment and development of staff.