The Care Quality Commission has issued three formal warnings to an NHS trust after inspectors found unsafe conditions. Inspectors found filthy maternity wards at the hospital and water was placed out of the reach of elderly patients.

The Care Quality Commission said Barts Health Trust failed to ensure welfare and safety of patients at Whipps Cross University Hospital in Leytonstone, east London.

The CQC has called for urgent improvements at the hospital, following unannounced inspections in May and June. Inspectors found that the hospital failed to 10 of 16 national standards for quality and safety.

Serious shortfalls were noted on maternity wards. Blood stained equipment, filthy curtains, unhygienic practices by staff and midwives failed to carry out proper checks on newborns.

There was no oxygen supply on resuscitation equipment for babies. Moreover, no proper checks were carried out on equipment and some equipment was not sterile.

Inspectors said in their report, "We saw examples of poor care, unacceptable staff behavior and poor infection control in maternity services. In surgery, theatre processes and communication arrangements put people's safety at risk".

The report revealed that a woman was found in a blood-stained gown and bed, and the same woman was found crying in the corridor 10 minutes later.