About the Oxygen Service
If you have a lung or heart condition you may need to work much harder to get the oxygen your body needs.
The Oxygen Service provides: oxygen education, oxygen equipment and maintenance of equipment, ongoing blood gas assessment and follow-up treatment for conditions including:
- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- pulmonary fibrosis
- heart failure
- severe long-term asthma
- pulmonary hypertension
- cystic fibrosis
- breathing problems caused by a combination of being obese and having an underlying condition.
About Long-term Oxygen Therapy
Long-term Oxygen Therapy (LTOT) involves a prescription of supplementary oxygen which you use at home for at least 15 hours a day. This includes during the night when you are sleeping. Supplementary oxygen can improve your survival rate, symptoms, and quality of life.
LTOT is used to treat low oxygen levels in the blood. It is not given for breathlessness or anxiety. LTOT is usually a lifelong treatment (it continues for the rest of your life).
We treat oxygen the same as any other prescribed drug. We prescribe oxygen at a specific flow rate (litres per minute) and for a fixed number of hours per day. You should never deviate from your prescription.
Referral to the Oxygen Service
This treatment is not beneficial for everyone, referral to the Oxygen Service is via a consultant.
If they think LTOT may help your condition, a GP will refer you to the appropriate team or consultant. You may then be referred to the Clinical Investigations Department (CID). They will assess if extra oxygen is appropriate for your condition, by taking some simple blood tests.
If you are a smoker, you will need to stop smoking for a minimum of 8 weeks before we can assess you for oxygen therapy. To those who smoke, oxygen therapy has minimum to no benefit - you will be required to continue to stop smoking if using oxygen therapy. If you need extra help to stop smoking the Help2Quit service offers confidential help, advice and free Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) find out more about Help2Quit at Help2Quit.
Oxygen equipment
Oxygen concentrator
An oxygen concentrator plugs into the mains and filters the air in the room to give you pure oxygen at a prescribed flow rate. This pure oxygen is delivered through tubing which is attached to a nasal cannula (a smaller tube that goes into your nose).
We can supply various lengths of tubing to help you move about your house as freely as possible.
ZH Cylinder
The ZH Cylinder is not portable. It is kept strictly as an emergency backup for your oxygen concentrator in case of machine failure or power cut. Anyone who has a concentrator in their home must have a minimum of 10 hours back-up.
CD Cylinder
The CD Cylinder is a small portable cylinder that fits into a cylinder bag. You can use a CD Cylinder outside of the house and in the car. This small cylinder lasts approximately 3 hours, at 2 Litres per minute.
There is a conserving device that we can loan to you (if available) to fit onto the CD cylinder and can make the oxygen last 3 to 5 times longer.
Oxygen ordering
We ask that you run both your cylinders down prior to ordering more. To order replacement oxygen cylinders call the Oxygen Service on +44 (0) 1534 444009 (option 1).
This is a voicemail service, and we will not return your call unless there is an issue with your order.
To place your order, leave your:
- name
- telephone number
- order requirement
Same day delivery (weekdays only)
You should place your order before 12pm to ensure same day delivery.
Delivery is provided by a third party, and we are not responsible for failure of delivery on their part. If your order fails to arrive as arranged, contact the Oxygen Service. We will contact the third-party provider on your behalf.
Bank holidays
The service does not operate on bank holidays so plan ahead. Place your order 1 working day in advance of the bank holiday, before 12pm.
Travelling off-Island
When going for treatment outside of Jersey, oxygen provision is organised through the Hospital.
If going on holiday, it is your responsibility to arrange your oxygen supply for travel off-Island, and at your destination. We do not provide portable concentrators for holiday use. You should arrange a concentrator, backup cylinder (portable cylinders if required) with the provider for that area.
Local hospitals or pharmacies do not provide oxygen. You will be charged for equipment hire, as this is not covered under the reciprocal agreement.
Home oxygen suppliers in the UK and Guernsey
Organise your oxygen requirements when travelling off-Island
| OxygenWorldwide | Arranges oxygen delivery worldwide for oxygen users on holiday or staying abroad for a longer period, they can also organise Oxygen if you are travelling through several countries. | Visit http://www.oxygenworldwide.com |
| Baywater Healthcare | Yorkshire, Humberside, West Midlands, Wales | Call 0800 373 580
Visit: https://www.baywater.co.uk/ |
| BOC Healthcare | East and Northeast of England | Call 0800136603
Visit: https://www.vivisol.co.uk |
| Dolby Vivisol | South of England and Scotland | South of England call 0800 917 9840
Scotland call 0800 833 531
Visit: https://www.vivisol.co.uk |
| Air Liquide | London, the Northwest of England, East Midlands, and the Southwest of England | London Call 0808 143 9991
Northwest Call 0808 143 9992
East Midlands Call 0808 143 9993
Southwest Call 0808 143 9999
Visit: https://uk.airliquide.com/ |
| Healthcare Oxygen Services | Guernsey | Call +44 (0) 1481 257 030
From 9am to 4pm weekdays only
|
Air Travel
Prior to air travel, you should consult with your hospital doctor to ensure that you are fit to fly. You should also arrange travel insurance for your time away.
You must inform the airline at the time of booking if you require oxygen during your flight. You may be asked for a form signed by a GP/consultant, which you are responsible for arranging. The airline may allow you to take your own portable concentrator on board for use. Some airlines provide oxygen but there may be a charge for it. Individual airlines operate different policies, check with the airline concerned.
Ordering oxygen equipment when visiting Jersey
Oxygen is not under the reciprocal agreement with the UK. If you are visiting from off-Island and need to arrange oxygen for your stay, contact the Community Oxygen Service a minimum of 4 weeks prior to your arrival in Jersey.
Call +44 (0) 1534 444087 or +44 (0) 1534 444009
We will send you a booking form and will discuss the following:
- your Home Oxygen Order Form (this can be completed by your doctor or respiratory nurse). Outside of the UK, we may accept a letter from your doctor or provider.
- charges for the supply of oxygen equipment in Jersey
- bringing your own mask or cannula and tubing
For cylinder provision please contact Boots, Jersey. Call +44 (0)1534 730432 (select option 3).
Insurance
When using oxygen at home or in the car you must notify your insurance company (contents, building insurance and car insurance). Failure to do so may invalidate your cover.
When traveling abroad, you must inform / get appropriate travel insurance which covers the use of oxygen equipment and your condition when traveling off Island.
They may need a letter from your hospital doctor.
Using oxygen safely
When using home oxygen do not:
- smoke near the cylinder, tubing or nasal cannula
- use oxygen near any sources of ignition, e.g., e-cigarettes, candles or naked flames, electric razors or electric blankets
- leave the concentrator or cylinder switched on when not in use
- use accessories not supplied by the Oxygen Service
- cut the oxygen tubing
Position the concentrator or cylinders:
- close to where you will use it and take care when moving around, tubing can be a trip hazard.
- in a well-ventilated area, not in direct sunlight or near sources of heat
Where possible keep a window open for ventilation, never cover or restrict the flow to or from the machine
To avoid burning your face, nose, lips do not use:
- moisturisers
- emollients
- lip salve
- Vaseline or white soft paraffin
- greases
- oils
- alcohol rub
It is safe to use water-based products such as:
- KY Jelly
- Aqua gel
- BioXtra
Care and maintenance of your oxygen equipment
Weekly
- Turn the concentrator off and wipe down the entire casing with a slightly damp cloth. If you’re not able to turn the machine off, you should wipe it down with a dry lint free cloth.
- Keep nasal tubing clean by washing in a mild detergent and warm water, rinse again in just water (to clean off any detergent) and shake dry.
- Keep nasal tubing in a plastic bag when not using it to keep it free from dust and germs.
Monthly
- Hoover under the back hood if possible.
- Change your nasal cannula every 4 weeks.
Oxygen concentrator trouble shooting guide
| Concentrator will not run | Check the power at the socket. Plug a lamp or other appliance in to check this.
Check the flow meter set to the prescribed flow rate. |
| Alarm is sounding | Check the flow meter set to the prescribed flow rate
Check if the tubing is trapped, kinked or twisted
Check doors or chairs are not trapping the tubing.
Dip the nasal cannula into a glass of water - you should see bubbles if there is flow from the machine. |
| Alarm light is on or flashing | Check the flow meter set to the prescribed flow rate.
Remove and replace tubing from front of the machine.
Turn the machine off then on again.
If flashing light or alarm sound persists -contact the Oxygen Service (in-hours) or Hospital Switchboard (out-of-hours). We will arrange for an engineer to visit you or provide a replacement concentrator.
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Contact us
Oxygen Service Team
Our opening hours are from 8.30am to 3.30pm, Monday to Friday.
For enquiries relating to tubing or nasal cannula replacement, service visits, troubleshooting, cylinder delivery or replacements
Call: +44 (0) 1534 444009
Select option 1 voicemail service leave a message
For all other enquiries
Call: +44 (0) 1534 444009
Select option 2 to speak to the Oxygen Service Secretary.
Emergency breakdown supply
For emergency breakdown supply, outside of normal working hours (including weekends and bank holidays. Contact the Hospital switchboard and ask for the Engineer on call. Let them know you have a broken oxygen concentrator
Hospital switchboard (Engineer on call) Call: +44 (0) 1534 442000
Clinical Investigation Department
Opening hours are 8.30am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
Call: +44 (0) 1534 444032
Fax: +44 (0) 1534 442748
Other useful contacts
British Lung Foundation (BLF)
Helpline 08458 50 50 20
https://www.lunguk.org/
gov.je