Are the new Home Oxygen Contracts being met by new suppliers? Are we in another postcode lottery?

[jojam]

[Hidden]

Hi

The terms of the contracts have been changed - in some areas new providers have been successful in getting a contract - in the North West, Wales and West Midlands the new providers have not yet taken over - the other regions now have new providers - except the South West which isn't changing this time around.

From what I have seen there are improvements in some of the terms of the contracts which benefit oxygen users - I don't know what people's experinecs are of the new providers. The terms of the contracts are the same across all regions so hoepefully they will be implemented the same. Health care professionals have more of a role in deciding what equipment should be provided - it is no longer down to the provider to decide what equipment you should have. It will be interesting to see how the new contracts roll out and what people's exeperiences are.

Thanks

Mark

[jojam in reply to Hidden]

In my experience service is not as expected in The South East, Transition has been poor. We still have to give 3 days notice for replenishment & 3 Weeks notice for Holidays? Call center is slow to respond. So not too sure when if ever we will get next day delivery or be able to order for holidays at shorter notice than 3 weeks!

Having said that I do have a new quieter concentrator and I bypass the call center by send email request for replenishment which seems to work at present.

regards

Jo

[Donald in reply to jojam]

Hi. jojam - I have recently had to change to Dolby Vivisol as you have. The first week was bad but I was in contact with Mr. Graham Delves from the local PCT who is the boss of local 02 home supplies who sent out the first letters to patients. He was marvellous and ensured that my 5 per week portable cylinders were replaced on time. Since then I have a call every Tuesday asking how many cylinders (One for one replacement) I may need. The delivery driver (Bryan) is the same one that worked for Air Liquide and is now a family friend (a really nice chap). I now find the new company to be very efficient. I still have my Air Liquide concentrator (Which as you say is noisy) (I have got used to it)!! Awaiting a new unit in time. All the best - Donald

[jojam in reply to Donald]

Hello Donald,

Yes there have been a few problems during transition period but I have not as yet felt the need to contact Graham Devels. I have found that using email rather than phone works well I was told that I should receive a phone call within 1 hour of sending email, the first time I got a call within 5 minutes.

All my Air Liquide equipment was removed in the first week by a former A/L driver( nice chap), who normally worked a different area. My normal driver (a very nice chap) was sent to another area, however he is back now, as you say they become family friends.

I had got used to the noise of the concentrator, did not notice how noisy it was until the new one was installed! Hope you get your new one soon

Best wishes

Jo

[Mulie]

Hi Jo

Yup all going well so far but still don't seem to have the same chap each week like we did with Air Liquide, who did become a friendly face every Wednesday. There seems to have been an endless stream of "faces" since. It took a while to get BOC a bit better trained up! Am in a funny little grove where the front of my house is a good 100 yards from the road, whereas my back door leads directly to the street behind and for the last 3 years have had deliveries there. I store my tanks in the rear porch so they can be picked up or dropped off there safely. It has taken me since November to get them organised to doing the same despite asking each week!!!

Its a shame we do't get the same chaps as I think they could act in the same way as the milk men used to - can see if there is anything wrong when they call, but then this is probably wishful thinking.......

Mulie

[maureenv]

My O2 supplier has changed from Air Liquide to BOC which I find really good. I am able to have next day deliveries and order holiday O2 really quickly but what i do find is the destination where I'm going to is usually a different supplier and they sometimes have trouble with my requrements so I seem to spend a lot of time on the telephone trying to get it right.

Maureen

[jojam]

Hi Dick are you on oxygen ? I am fully aware of the improvment to the home oxegen service IF the new suppliers impliment them. The phone number remained the same in thais area, just call center not meeting customer sevice demands in the first few weeks

coupled with not meeting new contract terms & obligations. Hopfully it will settle down to become & improved service for ALL areas at the moment it is a post code lottery!

Best wishes

Jo

[Hidden]

I hope we never have to change suppliers here. I am with Air Liquide and have always had excellent service. I particularly like that we can order or raise queries on line through our 'secure account'. I don't know if other companies or areas have on line ordering, as I know my friend in the North does not. I can still order by phone if I want to though. My delivery man is an absolute gem too.

[walls]

does it differ much between them then? I presumed that they would all be the same?

Can you change if you do not like who you have got?

[jojam]

Hi walls,

No you cannot choose who supplies your oxygen, the contracts are commisioned by the individual regional health authourity. Our area transfered to a new company 26th march, some areas changed in autumn last year, some still have to change. There are 4 diferent companies.

They should all provide the same service, but currently our new supplier is not meeting the new contract fully.

The new contracts were suposed to provide an improved service accross the country.

Best wishes

Jo