About the service
The Specialist Home Oxygen, Assessment and Review Service is made up of specialist physiotherapists/registered nurses. We are responsible for the assessment and review of patients who already receive (or are felt they may benefit from) oxygen therapy at home, mainly those with an underlying respiratory or cardiac condition.
The service covers patients registered with a Portsmouth GP.
The team is happy to assist where possible and happy to provide expert advice.
What we do
We assess for Long Term Oxygen Therapy (LTOT) and Ambulatory Oxygen (AO), as per national guidelines. We ensure the correct order of home oxygen, appropriate to the individual at that moment in time.
Oxygen therapy is NOT a treatment for breathlessness in the absence of chronic hypoxia (low oxygen in the blood).
Oxygen is only to be considered once a patient has a confirmed diagnosis, is clinically stable and optimally controlled.
Reference: BTS Guidelines for Home Oxygen Use in Adults (2015)
If a patient is end of life, it may be suitable for a clinician to commence oxygen therapy based on an individual assessment considering an improvement to oxygenation, reducing dyspnoea and improving quality of life. We are happy to provide advice regarding the Home Oxygen Order Form (HOOF) completion in these circumstances.
Accessing the service
Referrals to the Home Oxygen Service can only be made by a registered clinician.
Referrals can be completed via SystmOne e-referrals (please ensure you task recipient 1 Home Oxygen eReferral). Any referrals that do not have the required clinical information to appropriately triage or meet criteria will be rejected. We do not accept referrals via Single Point of Access.
If a patient is already on oxygen, you do not need to complete a formal referral but please contact us directly, ideally by telephone, to discuss.
How to find us
2nd Floor, Block B
St Mary’s Community Campus
Milton Road
Portsmouth
PO3 6AD
Contact information
Telephone: 0300 123 3996
Open Monday to Friday, 8am - 4pm.