A newborn has died and another has been “severely affected” after nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, was incorrectly administered instead of oxygen at Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital in Sydney’s south-west.
NSW Health Minister Jillian Skinner said in a statement a machine in the neo-natal resuscitation unit had been incorrectly installed.
The incidents occurred this month and last month.
Ms Skinner said she was “profoundly sorry” and the operating theatre in question had been corrected but remained closed.
“I deeply regret these families have suffered through such a devastating error,” she said.
“NSW Health will do all it can to support them.”
Ms Skinner said hospital staff met with the families over the past weekend for “open disclosure” of the facts surrounding the event.
According to the Minister, the error was discovered last week when a paediatrician raised concerns following the death of one of the babies.
Hospital management is certain no other babies received gas from the affected outlet, she added.
Government must launch independent investigation: Labor
The Minister said she had sought urgent advice on whether hospital staff followed protocols and how the error happened.
She also said every medical gas outlet in a NSW Health facility installed since the Liberal Government came to power in 2011 would be checked.
Shadow health minister Walt Secord said Ms Skinner must launch an independent review.
“This is every parent’s nightmare, absolutely distressing,” Mr Secord told the ABC.
“This is why the Health Minister must launch an immediate external investigation. There’s no point the Department of Health investigating itself.
“Once it’s investigated I want to see that after the families are consulted, that report is released publicly.”