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The Princess Alexandra hospital in Harlow announced that they had withdrawn the pain relief treatment across their maternity unit to "protect our midwifery and medical team".
