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

Cardiff and Vale UHB along with other Health Boards across Wales have established a group to explore how nitrous oxide can be delivered via small portable cylinders and eliminate the use of the manifold system.

Portable E sized N2O cylinder with a regulator and Schrader valve connection was trialled with success and this change has been rolled out across the University Hospital Llandough and the nitrous oxide manifold was decommissioned in April.

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.

Applicants may apply for one or both Themes.

Phase 1: Feasibility – We are looking to fund up to 5 projects up to a value of 50,000 (inclusive of VAT) each for Phase 1.

Note: Only projects successful at phase 1 will be eligible to apply to subsequent phases. Additional phases will be dependent upon funding allocation.

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

Please note any adoption and implementation of a solution from this competition would be subject of a separate, possible competitive, procurement exercise. This competition does not cover the purchase of any solution although we may choose to investigate and explore innovative procurement routes as part of this challenge.

The total funding available for the competition can change. The funders have the right to:

adjust the provisional funding allocations between the phases

apply a ‘portfolio’ approach