§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) how much it costs each year to supply cylinders of oxygen direct to the homes of those patients suffering from chronic bronchitis; and what is the comparable cost for general practitioners to prescribe small cylinders of oxygen for supply to patients through local chemists;
(2) if he will make more funds available for the supply of cylinders of oxygen direct to the homes of those patients suffering from chronic bronchitis.
§ Dr. Vaughan[pursuant to his reply, 10 June 1981]: The domiciliary oxygen service is operated through the family practitioner service by oxygen contractors who are, in the main, retail pharmacists. Cylinder oxygen is available from the supplier, the British Oxygen Company, in two sizes, 1,360 litres and 3,400 litres, but the company's contractual obligations do not cover direct delivery to patients' homes. If such a service is necessary it has to be undertaken by pharmacists themselves.
However, because the larger cylinder is heavy and difficult for pharmacists to handle and because a suitable stand is not available to ensure its stability in patients' homes, only the 1,360 litre size can be prescribed and supplied under the family practitioner service. The total cost to the family practitioner service of the domiciliary oxygen service in England in 1980–81 was £4.9 million. The cost of supplying cylinders of oxygen to those patients suffering from chronic bronchitis is not separately identifiable.
The large cylinders may, however, be supplied directly to patients' homes by health authorities on the prescription of a hospital consultant.