£1.65million boost for Welsh respiratory patients » Health » 24dash.com

A £1.65million boost to patients receiving the Home Oxygen Service in Wales was announced by the Health Minister today.

The Welsh Assembly Government funding will allow Local Health Boards to improve the clinical assessment of patients receiving oxygen at home for respiratory problems.

Along with the extra funding, the Assembly Government has updated advice to LHBs on the Home Oxygen Service, which included highlighting the latest best practice guidance from the British Thoracic Society.

Assessment of a patient’s need for oxygen therapy should be made by a health care professional with appropriate expertise, so that the patient’s health and quality of life is maximised, any risk is minimised, and the right oxygen levels (including flow rates and duration) and equipment are provided to meet their clinical needs.

It is recommended that an initial clinical assessment is followed up by further visits and regular reviews of a patient’s need for oxygen therapy and it is expected that this extra funding will help bring this about.

The aim is to ensure that patients experiencing respiratory difficulties receive the most appropriate treatment for their illness. This may include oxygen at home.

Edwina Hart said that evidence suggests that where clinical assessments are routinely offered patients get the most out of the service.

"It is important that patients are carefully assessed by specialist staff so that they are given the appropriate oxygen support to help them effectively manage their condition.

"Without it, many patients continue to receive home oxygen services, which may not meet their needs."

"Having an appropriate assessment is the only way to ensure patients receive a clinically effective service, which will ultimately improve their quality of life."

"Blaenau Gwent LHB has led the way on this with their weekly respiratory clinics."

"I know that there are now other LHBs using and developing assessment processes."

"I hope that this extra funding will accelerate the spread of this best practice throughout Wales."

"As well as improving patient independence and quality of life, improved assessment will also help to reduce the wider cost to the NHS by reducing the number of hospital stays or inappropriate emergency admissions to hospitals."

"10 per cent of emergency admissions every year in Wales are from patients with respiratory problems."

"Having the right services helps patients better manage their symptoms at home and will enable them to be discharged from hospital earlier."

"It will be for health professionals to determine which patients will require on-going assessments and how regularly they should take place."

Chris Mulholland, Head of the British Lung Foundation in Wales, said: "The British Lung Foundation and its Breathe Easy groups have long campaigned for improvements to respiratory services."

"We welcome this important announcement for much needed resources for home oxygen services and we look forward to making further strides towards better services for the one in five people in Wales who are affected by lung disease."

President of the Welsh Thoracic Society Dr Philip Ebden added: "I welcome the funding from the Welsh Assembly Government of the new services for provision of oxygen and look forward to further developments."

"I am pleased that there is a recognition of assessment by an appropriately trained respiratory team."

"Local respiratory physicians in hospitals will be keen to work with LHBs in developing services to be sure that provision is given to those patients who will benefit."

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