The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 275 No 7360 p129
30 July 2005

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Domiciliary oxygen change delayed until February 2006

New arrangements for the supply of oxygen to patients in the community in England are likely to be delayed until February next year, the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee has warned.

Contractors have been told by the Department of Health that existing oxygen contracts will be terminated on 30 September. But legal action by an unsuccessful bidder for new regional contracts is likely to delay the start of the new arrangements (PJ, 2 July, p5).

The PSNC is currently discussing with the DoH whether it wants community pharmacies to continue to supply oxygen cylinders and on what financial terms.

The delay is to avoid placing the current cylinder service provided through community pharmacies under pressure over the Christmas and New Year period.