The NHS’s decision to ban anaesthetic desflurane to meet net zero targets is “not supported by climate science,” argued professor Julia Slingo.
The ex-Met Office chief scientist spoke at a conference of anaesthetics arguing: “NHS directives to ban desflurane are not supported by climate science and should be reversed.
“The use of desflurane should be based on what is best for the patient,” Slingo added.
The healthcare system announced a decommission of desflurane to reduce emissions by 40 kilotonnes of carbon a year.
Over 40 trusts in England have stopped using desflurane and the use across the healthcare system has fallen from 20% of all anaesthetic gases used, to just 3%, over the last four to five years.
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Slingo said however that anaesthetic gasses have a “vanishing[ly] small effect” and “no climate impact.”
As reported by the Telegraph, Slingo’s comments were welcomed by NHS anaesthetics who are concerned the drug will only be available in “exceptional clinical circumstances.”
An NHS spokesman said: “There are safe and clinically effective alternatives to desflurane that are already widely in use.
“The NHS decision to decommission desflurane has strong clinical support, including from the Royal College of Anaesthetists and the Association of Anaesthetists, and we are working with the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence and professional bodies to ensure this is implemented safely.”
