More than 120 midwives and maternity workers at Basildon University Hospital in England have secured nearly £750,000 in compensation after being exposed to unsafe levels of nitrous oxide, raising concerns about workplace safety in maternity units.

The settlement followed exposure to the gas, commonly known as laughing gas and used in combination with oxygen to provide pain relief during labour, after poor ventilation and leaking gas lines allegedly put healthcare workers at risk between 2021 and 2023.

According to The Independent, which reported the development on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, the affected workers experienced symptoms including fatigue, headaches, brain fog and anxiety.

The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) said inadequate ventilation in the hospital’s maternity unit, alongside leaking gas lines, contributed to the exposure.

Thompsons Solicitors, working with the trade union, pursued legal action on behalf of more than 120 workers, including approximately 80 RCM members, leading to the settlement of almost £750,000.

Nitrous oxide is widely used in maternity care to help women manage labour pain. Although it is an established option for pain relief during childbirth, repeated occupational exposure can pose health risks to staff when gas escapes into poorly ventilated environments.

The case highlights the importance of effective ventilation, properly maintained gas delivery systems and adequate workplace monitoring in hospitals where nitrous oxide is routinely administered.

It also draws attention to the occupational risks faced by maternity personnel, whose working environments require safeguards not only for patients but also for the professionals providing care.

The compensation settlement provides financial redress to the affected workers, while the circumstances surrounding their exposure underscore the need for healthcare facilities to identify and address potential hazards before they cause harm to staff.