THE use of gas and air as pain relief for expectant mums at Basildon Hospital’s maternity ward has been reinstated.

Mid and South Essex NHS Trust has announced the use of gas and air pain relief in its maternity ward will be provided again from June 6.

This comes after it was temporarily suspended at the end of January due to “more testing”.

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Yvonne Blucher, managing director of women’s and children’s services at Mid and South Essex NHS Trust, confirmed the news.

She said: “We will be providing Entonox (gas and air) as a pain relief option in Basildon Maternity Suite from June 6.

“We have taken the steps needed to ensure staff can work in a safe environment, while offering women and birthing people the full range of pain relief options.”

The Echo revealed k in December that hospital bosses had failed to warn staff or tackle high levels of nitrous oxide on Basildon Hospital’s maternity ward for more than 18 months.

Damning documents from an internal meeting showed that hospital bosses had been aware of high levels of Entonox in the ward since summer of 2021.

But staff were only made aware in October 2022, when units to help clean the air were finally delivered to Basildon.

At the time, Mid and South Essex NHs Trust “apologised unreservedly” to the staff who had been working in the area and commissioned an independent external investigation.

Gas and air was later suspended again in January as bosses said “more testing of air quality levels is required” to ensure “safe levels” going forward.

Kerry Smith, councillor for Nethermayne ward, said: “To be honest, I think it is outrageous for how long it has been out of action.

“I can’t believe it has taken this long to ensure that women can use gas and air. It is the basic and it isn’t acceptable.

“But I am sure many pregnant women will be very relieved to hear that it will be re-introduced again.”