Midwife Busted Using “Gas and Air” On Duty
A Lewisham midwife has been struck off after she was caught huffing Entonox – the nitrous oxide “gas and air” pain relief – in empty hospital labour rooms while on the clock.
Olanike Toye abused the 50/50 oxygen and nitrous oxide mix at University Hospital Lewisham in 2022, then repeated the stunt at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in 2023, a disciplinary panel revealed.
Secret Drug Use Behind Closed Doors
The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) found Toye deliberately misused Entonox on two separate occasions, picking vacant rooms and shutting the door to hide her antics.
“Miss Toye knowingly and intentionally used Entonox while on duty on two occasions at two separate hospitals,” said Nina Dunn, solicitor for the NMC. “She selected empty rooms ensuring the door was closed behind her to conceal her dishonest behaviour.”
Witnesses spotted Toye under the influence during shifts and said she tried to take the gas multiple times. Despite apologising after the first slip-up in September 2022, she denied the claims during the hearing.
NMC Rules Strike Off Is Inevitable
Toye continued working as a community midwife under tight restrictions until the panel’s verdict this week. Her lawyer begged for her to keep the job, citing no trouble for three years.
But the NMC slammed the door shut, ruling her fitness to practise was severely impaired by misconduct, making strike off the only option.
Lewisham & Greenwich NHS Trust Cuts Ties
A spokesperson confirmed: “At the time, the midwife was allowed to work under strict conditions, which were followed and reviewed regularly. Since she is no longer on the NMC register, her employment has ceased.”
This jaw-dropping scandal sends shockwaves through local hospitals, raising alarms over patient safety and staff trustworthiness.
