Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to ensure that medical staff in maternity wards are protected from prolonged exposure to unsafe levels of nitrous oxide.

NHS England has been working with the trusts where gas and air supplies have been affected due to differing and localised issues. Guidance has been published to support Trusts in responding to issues raised in relation to gas and air usage and is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/guidance-on-minimising-time-weighted-exposure-to-nitrous-oxide-in-healthcare-settings-in-england/

Some trusts have taken a decision to temporarily suspend the use of gas and air within their maternity units due to concerns of over exposure of gas and air for staff. Once a trust takes the decision to suspend the use of gas and air it is expected that they implement locally agreed solutions that enable them to continue to provide safe and personalised care to women. Trusts are expected to undertake a full risk assessment in line with guidance to demonstrate the rationale for suspension of use and mitigations to address this.