NSW baby's gas death inquiry to begin

An investigation into the death of a newborn baby boy who was mistakenly given nitrous oxide gas instead of oxygen at a Sydney hospital will begin on Friday.

The baby was given the nitrous oxide at Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital just minutes after he was born on July 13, a month after the same error left a newborn girl with suspected brain damage.

The investigation will be led by obstetrician and gynaecologist Dr Michael Nicholl, who heads a division within the Northern Sydney Health District, despite the NSW Labor Opposition's calls for an independent parliamentary inquiry.

His team will include an engineer, experienced anaesthetist, paediatrician and capital works commissioning expert.

NSW Health Minister Jillian Skinner has confirmed both sets of parents will be compensated, with a one-off compensation for the parents of the baby boy.