Health · Healthcare & Policy · 1 hr ago
More than 120 maternity staff receive nearly £750,000 over nitrous oxide exposure
More than 120 midwives and other maternity staff at Basildon University Hospital have agreed a compensation settlement worth nearly £750,000.
They were exposed to high levels of nitrous oxide between 2021 and 2023.
The gas is used to relieve pain during labour, and the midwives’ union says it is safe for patients when used for that purpose.
Staff exposure was linked to poor ventilation and leaking gas lines on the maternity unit.
Workers reported fatigue, headaches, brain fog and anxiety.
An independent review found an unacceptable delay in addressing the risk, and said staff were exposed to unnecessary risk or potential harm.
The hospital trust apologised and said it should have acted faster.
It says it has since improved oversight of medical gas monitoring at the unit.
More than 120 midwives and maternity staff have been awarded almost £750,000 in compensation after exposure to high levels of nitrous oxide at Basildon University Hospital.
The Royal College of Midwives said poor ventilation and leaking gas lines exposed staff from 2021 to 2023.
Staff reported symptoms including fatigue, headaches, brain fog and anxiety.
An independent review found an “unacceptable delay” by Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust in addressing the risk.
The trust said it should have acted faster, apologised to staff and improved oversight of medical gas monitoring.
- Who
- More than 120 midwives and maternity staff, represented by the Royal College of Midwives.
- What
- They received almost £750,000 in compensation after exposure to high levels of nitrous oxide.
- When
- Exposure was reported from 2021 to 2023. The settlement was reported on 13 October 2026.
- Where
- Basildon University Hospital’s maternity unit.
- Why
- The Royal College of Midwives said poor ventilation and leaking gas lines led to high levels of nitrous oxide.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Concerns were raised about high gas levels on the wards, according to the independent review.
The review said the high gas levels were treated as a significant health risk.
The Royal College of Midwives said staff were exposed because of poor ventilation and leaking gas lines.
The Good Governance Institute published an independent review that found an “unacceptable delay” by the trust.
The Daily Mail reported that more than 120 staff had received almost £750,000 in compensation.
- Workers
- More than 120 midwives and maternity staff
- Compensation
- Almost £750,000
- Hospital
- Basildon University Hospital
- Exposure period
- 2021 to 2023
- Independent review
- Good Governance Institute, 2024
What people are saying
We're proud to have secured compensation for our clients, but they should never have been put at risk in the first place.
For years, midwives were breathing in nitrous oxide at dangerous levels while caring for women and babies. Even once the problem had been discovered, it was more than a year before staff were told.
We have acknowledged that we should have acted faster to address the issues and have apologised to staff.
Sources
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