A hospital in Essex has become the latest to suspend the use of gas and air for women in labour over concerns for staff safety after high levels of nitrous oxide were found.
Medics have said that the pain relief treatment — also known as Entonox — is safe for pregnant women and babies but that prolonged exposure to the gas is a health risk for staff.
The Princess Alexandra hospital in Harlow announced that they had withdrawn the pain relief treatment across their maternity unit to "protect our midwifery and medical team".
In a statement, Giuseppe Labriola, director of midwifery at The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust said: "There are a full range of other pain relief options that our team are discussing with women and pregnant people on an individual basis."
It comes after concerns were also raised about high levels of nitrous oxide at two other hospitals.
Last month Basildon University Hospital in Essex suspended the use of gas and air after tests in June 2021 revealed high levels of nitrous oxide but the installation of a new ventilation system was delayed.
Just a few days later Ipswich hospital's maternity services also decided to halt the use of gas and air until they could fit new ventilation units in the delivery suite and birthing rooms.
They tested the levels of nitrous oxide following concerns at Basildon hospital and found that they were "above safe levels identified in national guidance".
Dr Giles Thorpe, Chief Nurse at East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust, said: "There is no concern that using nitrous oxide is harmful to pregnant people, the issue is the residual levels left in the air after it has been used.
"Better ventilation will mean that we can make sure that the levels of nitrous oxide in the environment are within safe levels at all times."
The pain relief treatment was unavailable at Basildon hospital for three weeks but has now been reinstated.
Ipswich hospital initially said that it would take "five to seven days" for units to remove the nitrous oxide to arrive but the return of gas and air treatment has been delayed after the new units were unsuitable for the maternity wards.
Dr Thorpe said: "Until there is a safe and effective solution, we are unable to reintroduce gas and air to ensure we keep our maternity team safe".
Following the concerns raised at both hospitals, the Princess of Alexandra hospital carried out their own testing of the maternity unit last week.
They then made the decision to halt the treatment temporarily "in light of further results" and are now installing safety equipment to resolve the issue.
Mr Labriola added: “We have a team of expert engineers testing the system and plans to install additional safety equipment to allow us to resume the use of Entonox as soon as possible.
"There are no risks to people attending, staying or visiting the hospital."
Midwives at Basildon hospital are now considering taking legal action after being exposed to levels of nitrous oxide above the legal limit.
A spokesperson for the Royal College of Midwives said: "We have been approached by midwife members who have suffered a variety of symptoms they attribute to exposure to Entonox.
"Basildon hospital investigations have revealed the exposure levels in the maternity departments were over the legal limit.
"We are investigating these issues with our lawyers to support our members in potential claims; and have reported the issues to the HSE who are also carrying out their own investigation."
The Health and Safety Executive are currently investigating Basildon hospital over the concerns, The Guardian reports.
A spokesperson said: "We are investigating the levels of nitrous oxide following concerns raised by staff. The higher levels were identified by the Mid and South Essex University trust during their own air sampling".
Meanwhile, the Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust have said that they have made "significant improvements" and that it is "perfectly safe" for families to continue to use the maternity unit.
A spokesperson for the Trust added: “Support and advice is being offered to our staff. Mitigations have been put in place, based on clinical recommendations, and we are continuing to keep our staff informed.”
