Home Oxygen Service
About the Home Oxygen Service
The Home Oxygen Service assesses people who may benefit from oxygen therapy and provides ongoing support for those already using oxygen at home.
Our team:
- Assesses whether oxygen therapy is appropriate
- Reviews existing oxygen prescriptions
- Provides education and advice about living with oxygen
- Supports healthcare professionals with oxygen management
- Offers guidance on travelling safely with oxygen
If oxygen therapy is prescribed, your equipment will be delivered and installed in your home by Air Liquide Healthcare.
What Is Home Oxygen Therapy?
Home oxygen therapy provides air containing a higher concentration of oxygen than normal.
It is prescribed for people whose lung condition causes consistently low oxygen levels in their blood.
Depending on your needs, oxygen may be delivered through:
- A nasal cannula (small tubes placed inside the nostrils)
- A face mask
- A home oxygen concentrator
- Portable oxygen cylinders
Your healthcare professional will explain which equipment is most suitable for you.
How Can Oxygen Therapy Help?
Oxygen is essential for every organ in the body.
When lung disease prevents enough oxygen reaching the bloodstream, it can place additional strain on the heart and other organs.
For people who need it, oxygen therapy may help:
- Increase oxygen levels in the blood
- Reduce strain on the heart and lungs
- Improve energy levels
- Improve sleep and concentration
- Increase physical activity
- Improve overall wellbeing
It’s important to remember that oxygen therapy does not usually relieve the feeling of breathlessness on its own.
Types of Home Oxygen Therapy
Depending on your individual needs, you may be prescribed one of the following:
Long-Term Oxygen Therapy (LTOT)
Used at home for at least 15 hours each day to treat consistently low blood oxygen levels.
Ambulatory Oxygen Therapy (AOT)
Portable oxygen used while walking, exercising or carrying out physical activity.
Palliative Oxygen Therapy (POT)
Used to help manage severe breathlessness that has not improved with other treatments.
Your respiratory specialist will recommend the most appropriate treatment for you.
Your Assessment
Before oxygen therapy can be prescribed, we’ll carry out an assessment to determine whether it is appropriate.
This may include:
Six-Minute Walk Test
You’ll walk at your own pace for six minutes while we monitor your blood oxygen levels using a small sensor on your finger or ear.
Blood Oxygen Assessment
You may need a specialist blood test to measure oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in your blood.
The sample may be taken:
- From an artery in your wrist, or
- From your earlobe.
If required, you may also be asked to breathe oxygen before a further blood sample is taken.
In some cases, a second appointment may be needed to confirm that oxygen therapy is appropriate.
Using Oxygen Safely
Oxygen supports combustion, so it must always be used safely.
Always
- Use oxygen exactly as prescribed.
- Keep oxygen cylinders upright.
- Inform your electricity supplier if you use an oxygen concentrator.
- Inform your local fire service that oxygen is stored in your home.
- Test your smoke alarms regularly.
- Speak to us if your oxygen equipment no longer meets your needs.
Never
- Change your oxygen flow rate yourself.
- Smoke or vape while using oxygen.
- Allow anyone else to smoke near oxygen equipment.
- Use oxygen near naked flames.
- Leave oxygen running when it isn’t being used.
- Use oxygen while cooking with a gas hob.
- Use flammable products near oxygen equipment.
Top Tips
To help keep your oxygen therapy working effectively:
- Replace your nasal cannula every four weeks, or sooner if it becomes dirty or after a chest infection.
- Order oxygen refills before you run out.
- Contact us if your oxygen needs change.
- Ask about ear protectors if your tubing causes soreness.
- Let us know if your oxygen tubing creates a trip hazard at home.
Oxygen Equipment and Supplies
Home oxygen equipment in this area is supplied by Air Liquide Healthcare.
Contact Air Liquide for:
- Oxygen refills
- Replacement nasal cannulas or masks
- Equipment problems
- General equipment support
Telephone: 0808 143 9999
Further Information
If you have any questions about home oxygen therapy or your assessment, please contact the Community Respiratory Specialist Team.
Telephone: 0300 124 5909
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00am – 5:00pm
