NHS staff get 'landmark' payout over gas exposure
Over 120 NHS maternity staff have received a £735,000 settlement after being exposed to dangerous levels of nitrous oxide at Basildon Hospital. The trust admitted to failing to inform staff about the breach for 16 months, leading to the largest group legal action by midwives in the UK.
Why it matters
The case highlights critical workplace safety failures within public healthcare systems and the legal accountability of NHS trusts.
Image source, Getty 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
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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