Families blame hospital for deaths

Dozens of families have contacted ITV London over the treatment of their loved ones at Basildon Hospital.

The hospital is one of 14 across the country currently under investigation, because of higher than expected death rates.

The probe by the NHS Commissioning Board was ordered in the wake of failings at Stafford Hospital, where neglect and abuse led to hundreds of unnecessary deaths.

Two families are claiming the deaths of their relatives following treatment at Basildon Hospital could have been prevented.

One of those families is that of Lorraine Linder's. Last year, Lorraine was diagnosed with lung cancer, the tumour had spread to her spine and she died within weeks.

Her family say Basildon Hospital had three chances to spot the cancer earlier and save her life, but kept missing it.

Jay says he is devastated that it took eleven months to get the diagnosis.

Lorraine died at home just before Christmas but spent weeks in Basildon hospital, where Jay argued with one nurse, who he claims dished out the wrong pills.

Jay is planning to write a complaint. Something Fred Harris's family, have done already.

At 90-years-old Fred had health problems, but his family say Basildon made them worse.

Fred went to hospital, short of breath. During his stay, he was shunted from ward to ward. His granddaughters say nurses did not even realise he was there.

His family claim nurses ignored wounds on his legs. Eventually, Fred developed MRSA. In his last moments, he begged his granddaughters to speak out.

That is what many families are asking about Basildon. How a hospital that aims to cure can often forget to care?

In a statement Basildon hospital said: