Oxygen shortage 'robs my freedom'

By Michelle Roberts
BBC News health reporter

Kathy relies on her oxygen to be able to get out and about

When private firms took over the home oxygen supply service for 60,000 patients in February, it was accepted there were some "teething" problems.

But, six months on, some patients say they are still not receiving the oxygen they desperately need.

Kathy Dobbin, 51, says that because she is now without a portable oxygen supply, she is effectively a prisoner in her own home.

Dependency

Kathy, from west London, added: "I suffer from a lung condition called bronchiectasis. It means I have only got a third of a lung on one side and a quarter of a lung on the other to go out and about with.

"But I have managed very well. It hasn't stopped me doing what I want to do."

When Kathy had a cylinder of oxygen she could carry on her back, she was able to go out to the shops and go for walks.

She said this was essential, for her independence and her physical health.

"It is imperative I get out and about for walking to exercise my lungs so that I can clear them and do not end up sick in hospital."

It has taken away all flexibility and freedom of choice. They are dictating to me how I run my life Kathy Dobbin

Kathy needs four cylinders a month, which gives her about 100 hours of oxygen, and had no problems for seven years - even being able to go on holiday.

But since the move to private sector suppliers, Kathy has encountered problems.

There have been delivery delays, and when the oxygen has arrived, there has not been enough.

Shortages

She says the new supplier also uses different sized oxygen cylinders, which are much heavier and harder for her to carry.

"It is about 2-3llb heavier than the one I had before.

"They had nothing smaller so I accepted it, and tried it for a few weeks alongside my old treatment.

"But I got a rash up my back and couldn't even walk 100 yards halfway down my street.

"It has changed my life completely because I haven't got the oxygen that I need to go out.

"It has taken away all flexibility and freedom of choice."

Kathy has written to her hospital, GP, her local NHS health organisation and Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt to highlight her problems.

Action

The National Pharmacy Association said it had received a number of reports from its members about other patients not being able to get ambulatory cylinders.

And Professor Peter Calverley, president of the British Thoracic Society, said: "This is not an isolated case. There are practical issues that really should be being addressed by now.

"The change over to trying to provide a unified service should be a good thing. The problem has been the logistics."

Health minister Lord Warner said: "What we are seeing is a difficult transition from a service which, frankly, has been unreformed for about 60 years.

"There has been some real problems about giving patients the kind of kit that does enable them to have a better quality of life.

"That's why we have to work harder."

A spokesman for Air Products, one of the four private companies supplying home oxygen and which supplies Ms Dobbin, said: "We are now supplying over 47,000 patients across England and Wales as the transition of the home oxygen service continues.

"We have seen an exceptionally high demand for ambulatory [portable] oxygen, which has led to some of our patients experiencing delays with their oxygen deliveries. This is a short term situation, which is now improving.

"Overall, the new service is proving beneficial for patients, many of whom are living an improved quality of life thanks to the new technology. Patients remain our first priority and we are committed to ensuring that patients receive the best possible service."