New system to improve air quality in Delivery Suite at John Radcliffe Hospital

A new system in the Delivery Suite of the John Radcliffe Hospital will improve air quality for service users and staff, as well as reduce the Trust's carbon footprint.

An Anaesthetic Gas Scavenging System (AGSS) has been installed in the Delivery Suite in the Women’s Centre, part of Oxford University Hospitals (OUH) NHS Foundation Trust .

The AGSS provides continuous extraction of nitrous oxide (N₂O) from the delivery rooms, significantly improving air quality for both staff and service users.

Despite its role in healthcare, nitrous oxide is a potent greenhouse gas and contributes to our carbon footprint. The newly installed system not only extracts nitrous oxide, but also breaks it down into harmless oxygen and nitrogen, allowing it to be safely released into the atmosphere - further reducing the Trust's greenhouse gas emissions.

The installation cost approximately £500,000, and is expected to extract and break down 99% of exhaled nitrous oxide.

The project was completed over 25 weeks without any disruption to services in the Delivery Suite.

Nicky Beale, one of our maternity Consultant Anaesthetists said:

"Entonox, a mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen, is widely used for pain relief during childbirth. It is also known as 'gas and air'. While generally very safe there are a few possible side effects, particularly for staff members who are regularly exposed to exhaled air that still contains significant amounts of nitrous oxide.

"Thanks to this new system, we can all be assured that we continue to offer choices for pain relief whilst not unnecessarily breathing in excessive nitrous oxide."

Kate Eadie, a midwife at OUH and project lead, said:

"We are really pleased with this new improvement. It is hugely beneficial for the wellbeing of our service users, visitors, and especially our midwives in our delivery suite."

Milica Redfearn, Director of Midwifery at OUH, said:

"Thank you to the project team and our midwives, who worked closely to ensure that our service continued uninterrupted with as little disturbance as possible during this complex project.

"It has been a real team effort, and I am extremely grateful to all our staff and patients for their understanding during the work. This is a significant project, not only from a staff safety perspective but also as a step towards improving sustainability at our Trust."

Pictured: Maternity and Estates staff involved in the installation.