A HOSPITAL boss should quit following a damning report which highlighted a catalogue of failings at a maternity unit serving south Essex, a leading councillor says.

Basildon Hospital’s maternity unit was slammed by the Care Quality Commission which underlined serious concerns surrounding leadership and staffing.

The unit was branded inadequate as the report concluded the “long-standing poor staff culture had created an ineffective team where doctors, midwives and other healthcare professionals did not support each other to provide good care”.

Ron Woodley, deputy leader of Southend Council has now called for the resignation of Claire Panniker, chief executive of the Mid and South Essex Hospitals over the failings.

Mr Woodley said: “She’s failed, she should be resigning. She wants to be the queen of all hospitals.

“We’re nearly short of 2,500 nurses and we have a hospital (in Southend) that’s nearly 100 years old.” However, Ms Panniker defended her position and invited Mr Woodley in for talks.

She added: “Our staff have all worked incredibly hard this year, and our merger in April has meant we have been far more effective working together, allowing us to provide our community with the best possible Covid care.

“For example, we have created the MSE Specialist Care Centre to improve treatment for those most seriously ill from Covid. This means critical care beds are available at all three sites so we can continue to care for surgical, cancer and cardiovascular patients. We’re also spending £14.5 million to create more space for our patients – including in our emergency departments - so we can update facilities and make sure we can achieve social distancing.

“I’ve invited Mr Woodley to meet with me so we can discuss any issues he would like to raise.”

The unannounced inspection came after the watchdog had already demanded safety improvements after a string of incidents - including one where Gabriela Pintilie bled to death in childbirth.

The 36-year-old, from Grays, lost six litres of blood after giving birth via caesarean section in February 2019.

Kerry Smith, deputy leader of Basildon Council, raised concerns about management at the hospital but feared a resignation “wouldn’t make any difference”, adding: “It’s better the devil we know than the devil we don’t.”