This project aims to stop all use of the anaesthetic gas desflurane in hospitals in Wales. This is because of its excessive environmental impact, lack of clinical benefit when compared to more recently available alternatives, and high cost.
Desflurane is an anaesthetic gas that has a high carbon footprint and is harmful to the environment. Stopping the use of desflurane will help NHS Wales to achieve its target of net zero by 2030, and is in line with the NHS Wales Decarbonisation Strategic Delivery Plan. Stopping the use of desflurane will not significantly disadvantage patients because there are alternatives: other anaesthetic gases with lower carbon footprints that work just as well.
⇩ Withdrawal of national desflurane contract in Wales 254KB (PDF) |
(December 2023)