ACCESS to gas and air has been restored at Princess Alexandra Hospital.

Joanna Keable, head of midwifery at The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust, said: “Following the temporary suspension of the use of gas and air across our Maternity Unit, we are pleased to update that we can now offer gas and air in some of the birthing rooms on our Labour Ward.

“We now have three mobile gas and air kits in place for women and pregnant people to use. We would like as many people as possible to be able to choose gas and air during their labour, however as we currently have a limited number of machines, we may not be able to offer gas and air to everyone who would like to use it at this time. We will review and prioritise this on a case-by-case basis.

“There continues to be a range of other pain relief options that our maternity and medical team are discussing with women and pregnant people on an individual basis.

“We have also ordered and are awaiting delivery and installation of permanent extraction/gas and air kits to support us to be able to offer gas and air in all areas of our Maternity Unit as soon as possible.

“Please be reassured that there is no risk to mothers, birthing people, their partners and babies. The use of Entonox was temporarily suspended to protect our midwifery and medical teams from prolonged exposure to nitrous oxide in the atmosphere arising from the patient use of gas and air.

“Thank you to all of the women and families who use our services and to our maternity and medical team for your understanding and support.”