Kay Dejan was a fit and healthy 45-year-old when she tripped over in a supermarket. She damaged her knee and went into hospital for a minor operation. Just weeks later she was dead - killed by blood poisoning.
Hampshire and Essex-based electronics firm SELEX Galileo says measures have been ongoing for several months to try to cope with a decrease in orders.
But the company said to ensure it remained competitive, it had been forced to announce a planned reduction in the workforce of up to 25 per cent at the Basildon and Portsmouth sites.
The company has begun collective consultation with elected employee representatives.
– Statement from SELEX GalileoSELEX Galileo will be making every effort to avoid compulsory redundancies. Should they be necessary, they will not take place prior to March 2013 and outplacement support will be provided. The reduction in workforce will not affect the delivery of any programmes or contracts currently underway."
The company will also hold individual consultations with employees affected. Employees currently on training programmes, such as technical and business apprentices, industrial placements and graduates are not affected by the announcement.
Electronics firm SELEX Galileo has announced it will cut up to 25 per cent of the workforce at its sites in Basildon and Portsmouth.
The company employs 676 people across both sites, with 35 of those based at Portsmouth. It said it had faced "major challenges" throughout 2012.
– Statement from SELEX GalileoFalling defence spending in the UK and internationally as well as long delays in forecasted programmes has lead to a reduction in the number of orders placed compared to those expected during 2012."
A spokeswoman for the Basildon and Thurrock University Hospitals NHS Foundation said "immediate steps" were being taken to improve paediatric services, after it was heavily criticised by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
She confirmed the CQC inspection two weeks ago was prompted by the death of a 10-year-old girl and a medication overdose of a baby.
It is understood that the girl was treated at the trust before she was transferred to London where she later died. The baby is expected to make a full recovery.
The trust said it could not provide any details about the child's death and the overdose because the cases are both subject to an internal review.
It said that there are more senior staff and nurses on duty at the Essex hospital, especially out of hours, and spot checks were being conducted.
– Clare Panniker, chief executive of the trustI want to assure the local community that we are absolutely committed to improving the standards of care which we deliver to children.
"By commissioning a review of our paediatric services we can be sure we are looking at every area to best meet their needs.
"We need to do better to ensure that every child who comes to Basildon Hospital gets good, high quality, safe care. Only by doing this will we address the CQC's concerns."
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has issued two warnings demanding "immediate improvements" at Basildon and Thurrock University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
The action comes after an unannounced inspection at Basildon University Hospital on November 3rd that was "prompted by a number of serious incidents involving the care of children at the trust".
During the visit to the acute hospital, inspectors identified a number of serious concerns.
In addition to the warnings, the CQC also told the trust it must commission an independent investigation into its paediatric services.
The hospital was earlier warned over standards in accident and emergency department and adult wards, in July.
– Andrea Gordon, CQC deputy director of operationsWhat our inspectors found at the trust on November 3rd was completely unacceptable.
"We have taken this action to assist in driving through improvements which have a positive impact on the people being cared for at the hospital.
"It is imperative that the trust now ensures it makes changes which are sustainable, embedded and maintained for the future.”
A council leader who oversaw the clearance of Dale Farm in Essex has defended the eviction despite concerns the site has become an eyesore.
Read the full story
Police in Essex say they're tackling burglars who've been taking advantage of the warm weather. Too many homeowners are leaving windows open, they say. But an increased police presence in Basildon has reduced burglary there by 30 per cent.
12 year old Leonie Nice fell and suffered a fit when she was struck by the ball at midday on Tuesday 13th March, at school in Basildon, Essex. She died soon after at Basildon Hospital.
Leonie Nice was in a PE lesson at Woodlands Comprehensive School in Basildon, Essex, when she was hit in the chest with a ball.
Read the full storyA 12-year-old girl has died after being hit by a rugby ball during a PE lesson. Leonie Nice was catching the ball during a lesson at Woodlands School in Takely End, Basildon, Essex, when she was hit in the chest. Andy White, headteacher, said Leonie was a 'delightful and kind girl'.
