§ Baroness Greengrossasked Her Majesty's Government:
When they will announce the results of the review on domiciliary oxygen services initiated in March 2000; and[HL2966]
What conclusions they have reached concerning the provision of ambulatory oxygen for domiciliary use; and[HL2967]
Whether the provision of liquid oxygen fitted with a conservation device will become a National Health Service prescribed product; and [HL2968]
How much was spent on domiciliary oxygen services in each of the past five years. [HL2969]
§ Baroness Andrews:The review of the domiciliary oxygen service is at an advanced stage. It has considered the provision of ambulatory oxygen for 137WA domiciliary use, the availability of different forms of oxygen, and the use of technologies such as conserving devices. We expect to announce our conclusions shortly.
The following table gives the information requested on the costs of the domiciliary oxygen service in England to 31 March 2002. These costs, rounded to the nearest £ 100,000, comprise the costs of oxygen and the equipment to use it, the fees and rental payments to pharmacists and payments to oxygen concentrator contractors. Full information is not yet available for the year to 31 March 2003.
Year ending 31 March Costs (£ million) 1998 32.3 1999 34.9 2000 36.3 2001 38.3 2002 42.0