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Over one hundred maternity staff members are pursuing legal action against a hospital trust following exposure to dangerous levels of nitrous oxide. The affected workers, including midwives and healthcare assistants, were employed at Basildon Hospital in Essex during the period from 2018 to 2023. Those involved have reported experiencing symptoms such as fatigue, anxiety, headaches, and cognitive difficulties often described as “brain fog.”
The NHS has received a total of 141 claims linked to this issue. The Mid and South Essex NHS Trust has already disbursed £89,000 in settlements related to staff exposure to excessive and dangerously high concentrations of Entonox, commonly known as gas and air. The trust has issued an apology, acknowledging that it “should have acted faster to address the issues.”
Entonox, a blend of nitrous oxide and oxygen used as pain relief during childbirth, can accumulate rapidly in enclosed spaces without proper ventilation. According to documents submitted to the High Court, nitrous oxide was released on maternity units when cannisters were attached, when patients exhaled, and during instances of faulty equipment. An internal hospital investigation revealed that exposure levels reached up to 30 times above the legal workplace limits.
One female staff member involved in the lawsuit, who chose to remain anonymous, stated that she and her colleagues felt “poisoned” by the exposure. She described the experience as a “massive kick in the teeth,” leading to widespread anger among staff. Many suffered from chronic fatigue, persistent headaches, low vitamin B12 levels resulting in heart palpitations, and mental fogginess. She emphasized that the staff members were demanding “justice for the staff” who dedicate themselves to safely delivering babies and stressed, “You’ve got people sitting in offices that need to be held accountable for their actions.”
Other reported cases include a midwife who collapsed at work due to symptoms like headaches, anxiety, and low mood, as well as another claimant who experienced pain in her hands and feet. Additional symptoms noted in court filings include “excessive fatigue and irritability.” Those affected are seeking damages exceeding £1,500 for personal injuries.
In 2024, the trust acknowledged “unacceptable delays in responding to and mitigating a serious risk.” Denise Townsend, acting chief nursing officer for the trust, explained, “Since the incident we have learnt lessons and part of this is that we have improved our oversight of the monitoring of medical gases across the maternity unit at Basildon Hospital.” It is understood that the trust has since installed equipment designed to eliminate nitrous oxide from the air. The legal case is scheduled to be heard next in July
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