Tradespeople will now require a special licence to install medical gas following the passage of new legislation in the NSW Parliament.
Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast and Member for Terrigal Adam Crouch said the Gas Legislation Amendment (Medical Gas Systems) Bill was passed on Thursday, 6 August and would increase protections for patients that are administered medical gas during medical procedures.
“These strong new laws will ensure that the tragic circumstances in 2016, where the incorrect administration of nitrous oxide instead of oxygen at Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital led to the tragic loss of a life and the permanent disability of a newborn, will hopefully never happen again,” Mr Crouch said.
“Any tradesperson looking to install or test medical gas in a medical facility must now have specific qualifications as well as relevant skills and experience.
“This is a common-sense reform that aims to protect the people of NSW, including the Central Coast.”
Minister for Better Regulation and Innovation Kevin Anderson said the legislation was developed in consultation with key stakeholders, including the building and health sectors, training providers, medical gas suppliers and medical service providers.
“We have left no stone unturned to ensure this legislation is as comprehensive, practical and effective as possible,” Mr Anderson said.
“We are also committed to punishing anyone who thinks they can operate outside of these new rules to the fullest extent of the law.
“If people or businesses are found to have breached the standards we have put in place they will face significant fines and potentially jail time.”
For more information, go to: https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/bill/files/3762/Passed%20by%20both%20Houses.pdf.
