New Home Oxygen Therapy Service

I announced in June that a new contract for the provision of the home oxygen therapy had been awarded to Air Products in Wales. From 1 February of next year they will be responsible for the provision of all oxygen required by patients throughout the country. Clinicians will decide on the appropriate dosage required according to the patient's condition and, having passed this information to the contractor, they will provide the appropriate modality to meet the patient's needs. This modern home oxygen service has been long awaited by patients, their families and health care professionals.

This is an essential service for the patients involved. It helps them manage their symptoms at home not in hospital. For many patients, it is a vital service.
Local Health Boards have been working towards the implementation of this new contract throughout 2005, and a good example of best practice is the team at Blaenau Gwent who have worked extremely hard to prepare themselves and their patients for this new service. I visited them yesterday afternoon to see for myself the progress they have made. Their patients have been assessed in accordance with protocols agreed by the Welsh Thoracic Society.

In the past the home oxygen service has not kept pace with modern technology. The most up to date equipment will now be available to those who need it on the National Health Service without any payment from the patient. The latest equipment tailored to individual patients' needs will be delivered direct to patients' home, with expert advice and support available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Details of patients currently in receipt of oxygen cylinders have been obtained from Health Solution Wales and these are in the process of being verified by the LHBs. These patients will then be asked for consent to release their details to Air Products so that their supply can continue uninterrupted after 1 February without any need for action by them.

We are grateful to pharmacists for extending their provision of the existing service from the end of September until 31 January in order that patients would not suffer as a result of the delays in the signing of the contracts caused by legal challenges. My officials have maintained a dialogue with the current oxygen suppliers in Wales who have assured them that they will do their utmost to maintain their professional service until the new contract commences.

Air Products have appointed a number of key staff to ensure a smooth transition to the new contract and have been in close liaison with my officials and those in Local Health Boards. I am confident that everyone involved in the implementation of this new contract is doing everything possible to ensure that patients get the maximum benefit from the changes.