Safe and Ethical Disposal of Nitrous Oxide and Entonox Medical Gases Challenge Opportunity

The smaller cylinders have proven to be more efficient than the manifold and have an efficiency of 74%, compared to the piped supply from the manifold. This shows what huge gains there are to be made from moving over to a portable cylinder supply. We are left with two problems: 1. There are numerous partly filled large G size cylinders on the manifold which we no longer need. If they are returned, the remaining nitrous oxide will be released to the atmosphere. Current legislation prevents reuse/recycling of this gas. We want to find a way to prevent this nitrous oxide going into the atmosphere. 2. We also consume large amounts of Entonox (50% oxygen, 50% nitrous oxide) which is predominantly used by women for pain relief in labour. When this gas is used it is exhaled into the atmosphere. We would like to find an alternative solution which is suitable for widespread use in maternity units across Wales and the UK. The Healthcare Without Harm Report showed that 5.6% of UK emissions are from healthcare. The Welsh Government have declared a climate emergency and published NHS Wales Decarbonisation plan stating that the Welsh public sector will be carbon neutral by 2030. This ambitious plan specifically targets anaesthetic gases and includes nitrous oxide which has a global warming potential approximately 298 times that of carbon dioxide Challenge Details We are looking for sustainable and cost effective solutions for the safe disposal of nitrous oxide and Entonox medical gases. Specifically around the following two Themes: Theme 1: Safe disposal of gas within partly filled nitrous oxide cylinders prior to return to the supplier; and Theme 2: A solution to the problem of the high levels of Entonox being released into the atmosphere following consumption on our wards. We are looking to identify, develop and demonstrate innovative solutions that could: Reduce our emissions of nitrous oxide and Entonox; Provide a competitively priced and affordable solution to ensure the safe disposal of nitrous oxide and Entonox medical gases in a sustainable way; Reduce our purchasing of Entonox and nitrous oxide; Reduce waste in our Entonox supply system; and Improve air quality in the delivery rooms on labour wards. … Phase 2: Development - We expect to fund up to 3 of the most successful phase 1 projects up to a value of *150,000 each (inclusive of VAT). *Dependent upon funding allocation … The funders have the right to: adjust the provisional funding allocations between the phases apply a ‘portfolio’ approach Additional information: We are looking to use this PIN to engage with the market to see what appetite there is in industry to help support and drive this challenge. Details of the challenge can also be provided in Welsh if required

The smaller cylinders have proven to be more efficient than the manifold and have an efficiency of 74%, compared to the piped supply from the manifold. This shows what huge gains there are to be made from moving over to a portable cylinder supply. We are left with two problems: 1. There are numerous partly filled large G size cylinders on the manifold which we no longer need. If they are returned, the remaining nitrous oxide will be released to the atmosphere. Current legislation prevents reuse/recycling of this gas. We want to find a way to prevent this nitrous oxide going into the atmosphere. 2. We also consume large amounts of Entonox (50% oxygen, 50% nitrous oxide) which is predominantly used by women for pain relief in labour. When this gas is used it is exhaled into the atmosphere. We would like to find an alternative solution which is suitable for widespread use in maternity units across Wales and the UK. The Healthcare Without Harm Report showed that 5.6% of UK emissions are from healthcare. The Welsh Government have declared a climate emergency and published NHS Wales Decarbonisation plan stating that the Welsh public sector will be carbon neutral by 2030. This ambitious plan specifically targets anaesthetic gases and includes nitrous oxide which has a global warming potential approximately 298 times that of carbon dioxide Theme 2: A solution to the problem of the high levels of Entonox being released into the atmosphere following consumption on our wards. We are looking to identify, develop and demonstrate innovative solutions that could: Reduce our emissions of nitrous oxide and Entonox; Provide a competitively priced and affordable solution to ensure the safe disposal of nitrous oxide and Entonox medical gases in a sustainable way; Reduce our purchasing of Entonox and nitrous oxide; Reduce waste in our Entonox supply system; and Improve air quality in the delivery rooms on labour wards. … Phase 2: Development - We expect to fund up to 3 of the most successful phase 1 projects up to a value of *150,000 each (inclusive of VAT). *Dependent upon funding allocation … The funders have the right to: adjust the provisional funding allocations between the phases apply a ‘portfolio’ approach Additional information: We are looking to use this PIN to engage with the market to see what appetite there is in industry to help support and drive this challenge. Details of the challenge can also be provided in Welsh if required