Basildon hospital chief on high death rates

Basildon & Thurrock University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust chief executive Clare Panniker says understanding what is behind the hospital's high death rates is her number one priority.

The hospital was among 14 in England to be investigated by Prof Sir Bruce Keogh for having the worst death rates.

Ms Panniker said staff will look at every patient who dies in the hospital to see whether any lessons can be learned.

She also said the hospital would invest £1.8m on new staff by the end of the year and increase its bed capacity after concerns were raised over the hospital's ability to deal with emergency admissions.