Technology that captures nitrous oxide pain relief gas in maternity units to reduce their impact on global warming is being piloted by NHS Lothian.

There are between 8000 and 9000 births a year in  the region.

Maternity teams in Lothian say nitrous oxide mixed with oxygen, often known under its trade name Entonox, is used by more than seven out of ten of mothers at some stage in their labour.

The technology breaks down exhaled nitrous oxide – a powerful greenhouse gas – into its non-polluting components of nitrogen and oxygen.

Consultant Anaesthetist Andrew Goddard says introducing the equipment is part of a wider programme to tackle the impact that anaesthetic and pain relief gases on overall NHS emissions:

"We know that nitrous oxide has around 298 times the greenhouse gas effect of carbon dioxide, so have been very keen to support this new technology while ensuring the safety of mother and baby.

“This new technology will continue to allow people to benefit from this much favoured pain relief during labour, but without its clear and long-lasting damaging effects to the environment, whilst also keeping staff safe in the process.”

Last week the Scottish government unveiled its draft climate emergency and sustainability strategy for NHS Scotland, bringing forward their target of a net zero health service to 2040.

Part of the strategy focuses on the environmental impact of medicines and medical devices, as well as medical gases.

Meanwhile St John’s Hospital in Livingston is the first centre in the UK to bring in a new system to make sure operating theatre anaesthetic gases, which are already captured when patients exhale, are not then released into the atmosphere.

One routinely used anaesthetic, desflurane, has a global warming potential 2,500 times greater than carbon dioxide.

NHS Lothian’s Programme Director and Sustainability Lead, Jane Hopton, says addressing the environmental impact of medical gases is essential if the NHS is to achieve a pathway to net zero.

“This is a significant step forward for NHS Lothian and demonstrates the importance of clinical leadership in addressing climate change, ensuring that we take every opportunity to bring our models of care in line with our responsibility for the environment.

“We believe now this innovative technology exists, it is imperative to drive it forward across the whole of Scotland and the UK."

This story was written for healthandcare.scot