“Anaesthetic practice has evolved and improved over recent years to rely on more modern volatile anaesthetics, intravenous anaesthetic techniques and regional (local) anaesthetic administration which improve patient care as well as reducing harm to the planet. 

“Studies have shown that because we now use so little nitrous oxide the wastage in pipeline systems means less than 10% of the gas is used by patients and 90% is wasted. We can still use nitrous oxide directly from cylinders if we want to but our total use will be greatly reduced by not having the pipeline. 

“I am delighted that this major change has been successfully completed and am committed to introduce further reductions in our environmental impact over the coming years. I would like to thank everyone involved at the PEH in theatres, pharmacy and the EBME (electro bio medical engineering) department.”