More than 120 NHS midwives and maternity workers are to share £735,000 in compensation after being exposed to dangerously high levels of a medical gas at Basildon University Hospital in Essex. A total of 121 workers were awarded compensation following exposure to nitrous oxide, also known as Entonox or gas and air, during long shifts between 2021 and 2023.
The Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the hospital, has apologised to staff, stating it "should have acted faster." An internal report from the hospital found some staff were exposed to levels up to 30 times higher than the legal workplace exposure limit. Staff were reportedly not informed for 16 months about test results showing their exposure breached safety thresholds.
The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) described this as the largest group legal action brought by midwives in the UK. The RCM has since worked with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to update guidance on Entonox use and has written to all NHS trusts in England to highlight the risks of the gas.
NHS England issued guidance to trusts in 2023, advising regular assessment and monitoring of staff exposure to nitrous oxide. It also suggested hospitals consider specialist ventilation and air purification systems to minimise risks to maternity staff.