The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Nitrous Oxide Expert User Group, have developed this guidance paper on the Supply of Nitrous Oxide in New Healthcare Facilities. This paper is complementary to the Guidance for the reduction of Nitrous Oxide Waste in Existing Healthcare Facilities. There is a PDF version of the Guidance.
This document is a supplementary guide to the previously published Guidance for the Reduction of Nitrous Oxide Waste in Existing Healthcare Facilities: Current Builds, which focuses on strategies to reduce nitrous oxide waste in existing facilities.
The purpose of this document is to guide a reduction in the installation of reticulated nitrous oxide pipelines in the designs of new healthcare facilities or the redevelopment of existing healthcare facilities. Where complete exclusion of reticulated systems is not feasible, it is recommended to implement small, targeted systems, primarily for birthing units, and to use portable cylinders in other areas where nitrous oxide is required.
This guidance advocates for a facility-specific needs assessment, emphasising close collaboration with clinical, corporate, infrastructure, and capital projects teams to ensure sustainable practices are incorporated from the outset.
These recommendations have been developed from extensive stakeholder engagement with clinicians and experts from the NSW Health Nitrous Oxide Expert User Group and are designed to encourage teams to adopt a more proactive approach in their practices.
For further advice, consultation or information from the Nitrous Oxide Expert User Group, please direct any inquiries to moh-netzero@health.nsw.gov.au.