"HOME OXYGEN THERAPY."

After leaving hospital in April 2014 following severe breathing problems and a diagnosis of COPD. The consultant in charge of my case at the hospital had said I should have oxygen at home on a PRN basis (use as and when required). An oxygen concentrator was delivered to my home, which had a very long airline; this enabled me to get all around the house, including upstairs. The oxygen team had assessed me shortly after my discharge from hospital. Last September (2015) I visited my GP's surgery to see someone from the home oxygen team. She told me that the oxygen was to be removed from my home. I raised objections to this stressing its removal would severely limit my mobility around the house. Then she said, “The oxygen would not be removed if the patient didn’t want it removed. ” This reassured me. I also asked if removing the oxygen concentrator was part of an NHS, or local oxygen supply service cost cutting exercise, she said YES it was. I am appalled that I have been left without the oxygen concentrator and my mobility about the house reduced. I was given ambulant oxygen cylinders, but they are too heavy to carry and walk about the house. On being assessed for oxygen initially, the oxygen service said the concentrator would improve my quality of life and take the pressure off my heart, which is affected by the COPD. Did they forget about my 'quality of life' and the strain the COPD places on my heart when she ordered the removal of the concentrator? My GP and the long Term Conditions Team who take care of me are aware that the concentrator has been taken from me and do nothing to back me up. It's a complete disgrace.