Midwives suspended for drug parties in ward

A doctor and 10 midwives are under investigation after reportedly holding "laughing gas" parties in a hospital maternity ward while babies were being delivered near by.

The group at Wollongong Hospital, 60 miles south of Sydney, are said to have inhaled nitrous oxide – colloquially known as laughing gas – at the parties and to have taken sleeping tablets while on duty.

On one occasion, while two women were in labour with premature babies, three of the four midwives on duty were reportedly taking nitrous oxide, an anaesthetic gas that produces feelings of euphoria. The gathering was witnessed by a junior doctor, who brought it to the attention of the hospital authorities. The parties were said to have been held in empty birthing rooms.

Illawarra Health Authority said yesterday that an investigation had been launched and that the alleged offenders had been suspended or transferred. Investigators are believed to have uncovered unusually high usage of nitrous oxide and temazepam, a sleeping drug and sedative, in the maternity ward.