Home Oxygen Services

County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust has been awarded the contract for Home Oxygen services for patients across County Durham and Darlington.

The Trust's community services directorate will begin delivering the Home Oxygen - Assessment and Review (HOS-AR) service from 1^st April 2023.

The HOS-AR assesses, reviews, orders and follows up patients requiring supplementary oxygen at home. All existing patients currently receiving oxygen will be reviewed and supported, as per national guidance, to determine their prescribed supply and equipment is appropriate for their condition and use.

Nicky Hayes, Matron for Community Respiratory and TB Services at the NHS Trust, said: "We are delighted to take on the contract for home oxygen services. Our teams already have good relationships with patients across our local communities and look forward to including this element of treatment into our provision of safe, compassionate and joined-up care.

"The new service will integrate well with the care our community teams are already providing and enable us to look at enhancing pathways for respiratory diagnostics and how we support patients with long term conditions. This supports a collaborative approach which we hope will further enhance the experience of patients receiving treatment through the service."

Home oxygen therapy involves patients breathing in a higher oxygen concentration than normal through nasal cannula or mask, connected to a device in the home. It is used to support patients suffering a long term condition causing clinical hypoxia.

The Trust is working with the current supplier to ensure a smooth transition for patients with minimal impact on any current appointment bookings. All patients will be contacted by the Trust to introduce the new team and share further information about the new service.

Published: 09 March 2023