Bedfordshire Hospitals will continue to provide Entonox during labour amongst concerns
We are aware that you may have seen concerns raised recently at other NHS Trusts around the use of the commonly used painkiller Entonox (also known as gas and air) in maternity units in England.
Entonox is a colourless, odourless gas that is a commonly used pain killer during labour that is often used by birthing people in labour. Entonox is made up of nitrous oxide and oxygen and is sometimes called gas and air.
We understand this may have caused some concern for pregnant women/people and their birthing partners however we would like to provide reassurance that both Bedford Hospital and the Luton and Dunstable University Hospital have completed monitoring assessments around its use in our maternity units and have passed successfully.
We will therefore continue to supply Entonox as needed during labours at Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.