The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 271 No 7276 p710
22 November 2003

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Letters to the Editor

Oxygen cylinders

Breakage of head sets poses inherent financial risk

From Mr P. Walton, MRPharmS

I think that it is important that pharmacists who supply BOC oxygen cylinders with integral head sets are aware of the inherent financial risk to which they are now exposed.

Some, but not all, primary care trusts have, as a legacy from health authority days, a gentleman’s agreement with oxygen contractors that they will reimburse them for loss or damage to separate head sets held by patients.

Recently, a patient damaged the plastic cover of the gauge on an DD-size cylinder, provided to an oxygen concentrator patient under a local “quality of life” agreement dating from pre-PCT days. BOC has informed me that there is a flat rate charge for the repair or replacement of DD-size cylinders of £275.

I am currently awaiting a decision by the PCT as to whether the former gentleman’s agreement extends to cylinders with integral head sets, given the huge potential cost implications. I can certainly see their point when an oxygen head set can either be repaired or replaced for less than £90.

A similar liability also falls on pharmacies that supply oxygen cylinders to GP surgeries or organisations such as mountain rescue.

Peter Walton
F. C. Whelan Chemists
Workington, Cumbria

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