OxygenService

​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

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  

Monthly  

Oxygen concentrator trouble shooting guide

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/