Press Releases & Media Centre

ANNOUNCEMENT ON NEW OXYGEN SERVICE FOR ENGLAND

- RESPONSE FROM AIR PRODUCTS MEDICAL -

7 th June 2005 — The Department of Health has today announced the details of the new home oxygen therapy services (HOTS) for England.

Air Products Medical will supply oxygen in 6 English regions – North West, West Midlands, East Midlands, Yorkshire and Humberside, North London and the South West.

Welcoming the Department of Health’s decision, Colin Smith, the General Manager for Air Products Medical in the UK, said:

“Air Products Medical has been serving oxygen patients in England since 1992 and is delighted to be playing a key role in this new and improved home oxygen service.

Our oxygen patients deserve access to the best possible care and treatment. After working closely with the Department of Health and the NHS, we know that patients will find the new service much more convenient; it will provide them with the latest technology, with a higher standard of care and, most importantly, an improved quality of life.

At Air Products Medical, we are committed to our patients. Our immediate focus therefore will be to ensure that patients receive continuity of care during the change to the new service and that they experience the benefits as quickly as possible.”

Note to the Editor:

About Air Products

Air Products Medical is among the world’s leading respiratory care specialists, providing services for 400,000 patients in fourteen countries. Services range from early discharge programmes for respiratory patients to comprehensive support for homecare patients and innovative oxygen supply systems.

In planning for this new service Air Products Medical consulted many of its patients through regular patient forums around the country giving patients an early opportunity to learn about new oxygen service, raise issues about the equipment and how it would be delivered. This feedback was shared with health professionals, PCTs and the DoH. Air Products is committed to continuing this essential dialogue with patients as the new service is introduced.

For further information, please contact:

General enquiries:
Telephone: +44(0)1932 249906

Home Oxygen Service enquiries (UK)
Telephone: +44(0)1932 249935