NHS staff get 'landmark' payout over gas exposure
Basildon Hospital has paid £735,000 in settlements to 121 NHS staff members who were exposed to dangerous levels of nitrous oxide. The staff, primarily midwives, suffered health issues after the hospital failed to disclose safety breaches for over a year.
Why it matters
This case highlights significant failures in workplace safety and transparency within public healthcare systems.
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Maternity unit staff were not told for more than a year that testing had revealed their workplace was breaching safety limits for nitrous oxide (file pic)
NHS maternity staff who were exposed to excessive levels of nitrous oxide have received "landmark" payouts totalling £735,000, a union said.
Basildon Hospital in Essex settled claims from 121 staff, including 85 midwives, who took legal action after reporting fatigue, anxiety, headaches and "brain fog" after the gas levels breached safety limits.
The Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust said it had apologised to staff.
The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) said it was the largest group legal action ever brought by midwives in the UK.
The gas, also known as Entonox, is used to provide temporary pain relief for women giving birth.
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