Investigation needed into home oxygen services - Webb

7.50.50pm UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 17th Feb 2006

Steve Webb MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Health Secretary, today called for an investigation into the provision of home oxygen after a woman died whilst waiting for an emergency delivery. Mr Webb received a Parliamentary Answer from Jane Kennedy just 3 weeks ago which stated:

'The new arrangements offer patients a wider range of modern equipment that will support them in the better management of their symptoms at home and help avoid the need for emergency admission to hospital, wherever possible. The new service contract also sets out specific delivery times for home oxygen, including where ordered on an emergency basis and where ordered to support a patient's discharge from hospital.

'The new arrangements will continue to ensure that patients receive a safe and efficient home oxygen service.'

Commenting, Mr Webb said "When Ministers agree to changing a vital service like home oxygen supplies, the priority must be to ensure continuity of supply. The system clearly failed in this case.

"Ministers had been warned by the Liberal Democrats about the potential problems with the service but received nothing but bland assurances. We now need an urgent investigation into this shambles."