A health watchdog has given bosses at Basildon Hospital a week to improve its maternity unit after failings including a woman bleeding to death in childbirth.

A letter seen by the BBC reveals the Care Quality Commission (CQC) found unsafe staffing levels at the unit at Basildon Hospital throughout August.

The CQC said the hospital has until next Monday to implement appropriate measures.

The seven-page document, sent by the CQC on 7 October, puts the Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust on notice that it has to "implement an effective governance system", among other measures.

The letter sent by the CQC continued "we were not assured that you effectively reviewed staffing and escalated appropriately to maintain safe staffing in the maternity unit".

It follows the death of mum Gabriela Pintilie’s in February 2019. She died after losing blood and was not given enough blood to replenish her loss.

Clare Panniker, chief executive for Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, told the BBC it had "taken action following [the CQC's] initial feedback to make our services better".

"We have a robust improvement plan in place, and continue to work closely with the CQC and our regulators as we make the necessary changes and are committed to improving the quality of maternity care," she said.

The CQC letter said the trust had until 4pm on 9 November to implement the recommended changes.