Written question asked by Lord Campbell-Savours (Labour), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Earl Howe (Conservative) on Friday, 22 October 2010.

NHS: Oxygen Supplies

Question: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what are the arrangements for the procurement of supplies of oxygen to patients funded by the National Health Service; and what was the cost to the National Health Service of oxygen supplies in the last 12 months for which figures are available.

Answer: The Home Oxygen Service has been procured using a national framework, held by the Department of Health. This service provides patients with oxygen for use at home in England. Each strategic health authority region has a single home oxygen supplier (from the framework) which is managed locally by the National Health Service. Oxygen for home use is ordered on a home oxygen order form which is completed by a health care professional and forwarded by secure facsimile to the regional supplier for delivery and installation of the oxygen equipment, who has the responsibility to provide training for the patient on its safe use. The total cost of oxygen for home use for the 12 months ending September 2010 was approximately £128 million (inclusive of VAT).

Secondary information