Home Oxygen Service Contract

Following introduction of the new home oxygen service on 1 February a number of issues have arisen with Air Products Ltd, many of which I have discussed at length in HSSC and elsewhere.  This service will help patients manage their symptoms at home, not in hospital. I continue to be grateful to those community pharmacists who have extended their service to patients throughout February and into March.

I must emphasise that the problems experienced are not peculiar to Wales. Nor are they confined to Air Products alone. Other suppliers used in areas of England are experiencing similar difficulties. My officials have been involved in meetings with Air Products and liaised with Department of Health throughout.

Air Products have recruited more staff to cope with the sharp increase in demand. Pharmacists have continued to operate the old system in tandem with the new to relieve the pressure on the new contractor.  I am most grateful for their continued co-operation and professionalism. The validity of WP10s (Welsh prescription forms) has been extended to last until 31 March to ensure they continue to be rewarded for their efforts.


A Core Group of the Department of Health and Welsh Assembly Government and suppliers are developing a plan for addressing problems emerging in the first few days of the new home oxygen service; and to get the next stage of the transition programme for transfer of all patients to the new suppliers back on track.

At a meeting on Tuesday 28 February, the Core Group reached agreement on the further work necessary to develop regional transition plans. These will be assessed and agreed at its next meeting in week commencing 13 March.