Oxygen pick up point

[Pollysback]

Hello I've just been out for lunch and run out of o2 once again. I suggested to my friend that it would be so much easier if we could go to a chemist and pick up a replacement cylinder. How do other people feel about this? I wonder why chemists can't hold cylinders so we can take in our empty cylinder and replace it while we ware out. It would mean less carrying and more freedom. Who would find this useful? Is it just me? Is this something we could organise if enough of us wanted it?

[Damon1864 Volunteer]

I think that would be a good solution, brilliant idea.love Bernadette 😊 xx

[stone-UK]

Hi

It would probably be a logistical nightmare.

Plus the storage and insurance implications of storing gases on commercial premises.

Oxygen is on prescription in the form of a HOOF, between the oxygen provider and the NHS. Which is a regularly placed order.

For any provider to store oxygen at selected Pharmacy’s without charge until dispensed would not be very cost effective.

[Pollysback in reply to stone-UK]

Hi stone-UK,

not sure why my reply disappeared, here it is again.

Do you know this or is it just a feeling you have?

Do we know how many people would want this and what the value of it would be to them?

Do shops store more dangerous gases e.g.. camping gas with out a problem?

Just my thoughts, thank you for yours.

[SquirrelsHolt]

Well Pollysback ,you may just have an idea worth pursuing- it makes total sense and its a simple trade an empty for a full cylinder at a chemist dedignated by your supplier. It would be excellent for very unorganised person like myself.....I could just pop in,do the exchange etc etc. Whom ever supplies your oxygen,why dont you write/email them with your idea....you never know,unless you try!

You must come back and tell us the reply.

[Pollysback in reply to SquirrelsHolt]

Hi SquirrelsHolt, thank you for your encouraging reply. I spoke to the technician bringing my cylinders today and he said I wasn’t the first person to suggest it. I’ll take up your idea and write to my supplier.

[Hidden]

That’s a great idea. In the 1950s I used to have penicillin through oxygen twice daily. My Mum used to take the old cylinder to the chemist and pick up a new one. They were very heavy. She and the chemist used to be out the back ‘ changing over the cylinders’ for ages whilst my sister and I browsed the shelves of the shop before they came out and the chemist gave us both a packet of sweets. It’s only in the last couple of years that we have realised that there was probably something of a romantic nature going on out the back. Thought you might find that funny.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Hilarious! In my innocence it just didn't occur to me until you pointed it out!! I just thought the older cylinders were very fiddly. :))

[Pollysback]

Thanks littlepom, who knows what opportunities a visit to the chemist might bring.

[gingermusic]

I don't think thats a very good idea at all and I cannot believe you would run out of oxygen. I have a total of 6 cylinders delivered to me at any one time and can phone for replacements to be brought out any time I need them so I cannot understand why you would run out.

[Inamoment in reply to gingermusic]

Perfectly easy, I've done it a couple of times, both because i failed to check the gauge before i went out. Last time was in sainsburys, i completely ran out of puff halfway round but a lovely member of staff whizzed around and brought the bits I'd missed

[Diane11270 in reply to Inamoment]

I am guilty of doing this also 😁 but i actually feel bad about ringing my oxygen supplier too close together haha xx

[Maureenpearl in reply to gingermusic]

I have six cylinders delivered and I use 6 litres per minute, I also have liquid oxygen and I have run out of oxygen several times whilst I was out.

I use the oxygen for walking, talking, housework, dressing and undressing also for showering.

My diagnosis is Mixed Connective Tissue (lupus) which has damaged my lungs Pulmonary Fibrosis along with a lot more conditions such as cerebral vasculitis. Which causes me to have brain fog.

The times I went out and ran out of oxygen was because I didn't remember to check how muck oxygen was in the cylinder, or I was moving about too much and talking too much. Now I make sure I remember to check I have a full cylinder if I am going out and if possible take a spare one.

Having to walk around with the oxygen cylinder is not easy and you might be going out where it is not possible to know how long you will be out or even how to carry a spare cylinder. So yes it's easy to run out of oxygen.

[bernardette]

This sounds a brilliant idea - I will write to Baywater (my oxygen provider) and suggest it. If enough people did, it may happen! As for running out........if I'm out for the day, I will need several cylinders and keep them in the car. Can be a faff!

[Hacienda in reply to bernardette]

read oldmurphyman Bernadette, especially in this Heat in the Boot of a car. !!!!

[bernardette in reply to Hacienda]

I have been advised by respiratory therapist and oxygen provder that a spare cylinder is fine in the car - secured, so it does not roll around!

[Hacienda in reply to bernardette]

Hi Bernadette, I was referring to you saying "Several" in the Boot. I too had 1 in my Boot secured when I had Cylinders, Before I changed to the concentrator. xxx

[Diane11270 in reply to bernardette]

Same here xx

[Hidden]

Because in certain circumstances an oxygen cylinder is a bomb. I prefer my chemist to remain a chemist and not a depository for lethal weapons.

[Hacienda]

Get a Concentrator, Innogen 1, 2, 3, that is small and charged, gives you over 4 hours of 02, and can be charged any where there is a socket in the wall, or your car. Before I leave the House I have had mine charged up. Mine was free through the NHS via my Supplier, Air Liquide, No more Heavy Cylinders .

[Inamoment]

I think it might be complicated. My bottles are supplied by Dolby. If i picked them up from a chemist then Dolby wouldn't get paid and i don't see how the company that put bottles in the chemist would get paid either, they would have to charge my ccg somehow

[1Celticlioness]

Whilst I think it might be a good idea to exchange oxygen cylinder at a chemist it’s really against Health and Safety, wonder how many on here have registered with the Fire Brigade that they have oxygen cylinder in their homes my understanding is that you do have to let them know

[stone-UK in reply to 1Celticlioness]

Hi

Notification is done by your provider, there are supposed to visit within six months to do a risk assessment and fit smoke alarms.

I had one smoke alarm fitted free of charge guaranteed ten years.You should also have a six monthly risk assessment by your provider.

[dak1507]

Hello Pollysback. There is a small device called a conserver which attaches to the cylinder and only gives oxygen when you breath in. It also lengthens the time the cylinder will last. In my case it is about another hour. Ask your supplier about getting one. Take care.

[stamford1234]

Petrol stations keep butane and LPG cylinders, why not oxygen?

[Shadwell]

I think becouse of the space & storage needed most pharmacies would be reluctant to do this