Statement on NSW Health investigation report
BOC is extremely saddened by the tragic death of a newborn and the injury of
another at Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital.
BOC today received the report published by NSW Health and the company is
also assisting the NSW Police and the Coroner in their continuing
investigations.
Regardless of the outcome of any investigations, BOC has already increased
the level of testing in every new medical gas pipeline installation above and
beyond the requirements of the Australian Standard. For each new medical gas
pipeline installation BOC now requires that a BOC representative, who is not
part of the installation team, must do the final tests and checks of the system
before it is handed over to the hospital for use. As is the case now, these
final tests and checks must be undertaken with one or more appropriate hospital
representatives.
BOC has initiated discussions with Standards Australia with a view to
seeking a review of the relevant Standard. BOC also intends to engage with
industry participants and the healthcare sector more broadly in relation to
improvements that could be made to industry practice and procedure.
No projects or work has been allocated to the contractor involved in the
commissioning of the oxygen outlet at Bankstown-Lidcombe hospital since the
investigations began.