Newbie carer

[Admum]

Hi I’m new here. Both parents have COPD in their 70s. My mum had a recent severe exacerbation and was hospitalised- first hospitalisation. I feel GP has let them both down- hospital were concerned that not under respiratory team. When admitted O2 was 65 Has now been discharged onto 2L oxygen for 16 hours. Both have now given up smoking thankfully. My mum needs to be able to get out and about drive etc. They are in Wales. We are awaiting district nurse/ respiratory nurse post discharge. How do we get a mobile oxygen concentrator? Mum has 2 oxygen concentrators at home- upstairs and downstairs. Prior to admission was trying to cope on own- god knows how in hindsight. I bought finger o2 metre for home - but not sure reliable as checked against levels on hospital machines and v hit and miss. Can she be given a proper metre on nhs? If not where do I get one? Sorry for questions.

[Spacecat1]

Ask respiratory department that's were its cane from

[sassy59]

Hello Admum, welcome to you. Speak to the hospital and respiratory nurse about your mums needs. It’s important there is a continuation of care after her discharge.

I hope things improve and do want to wish you well. There is a care community you can join on here too.

Take care. Xxxxx

[Mandy6513]

Hi. The company who provides your oxygen can provide oxygen cylinders to go out I'm assuming she used one to go home with . Oxygen companies also have small oxygen concentrators if your on a low flow rate but they don't have many and not easy to get hold off so cylinders and a trolly is the easiest or you can buy them . They are expensive but used ones are available on here or they were ...You need to speak to your respitory nurse about having an ambulatory test so they can see how much she needs to go out. I use an oxymeter that I got from Amazon and it's fine it's as good as the one my GP uses and NHS will not provide this for you

[Admum]

Thanks everyone. Waiting to hear from respiratory nurse. Hopefully won’t be too long.

[peege]

Oximeter via Amazon, unlikely to get one on nhs. Mine is by Biosync about £19.

Ambulatory oxygen from prescriber.

In the current state of the NHS all carers deserve so much support, so hats off to all the carers!