RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Experiences of establishing a new community based oxygen service JF European Respiratory Journal JO Eur Respir J FD European Respiratory Society SP p693 VO 38 IS Suppl 55 A1 Denise Williams A1 Nicola Stevenson A1 John Corless YR 2011 UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/38/Suppl_55/p693.abstract AB The Wirral has a population of 350 000. We have high rates of lung disease. The prevelence of COPD is 2.3% and we diagnose approximately 300 new lung cancers each year. Many individuals are in receipt of home oxygen therapy. Prior to 2009 there was no no local provision for structured assessment or follow up of patients in receipt of oxygen within our area.In October 2009 we opened a new community based oxygen service for the provision of oxygen. All new community and secondary care initiated oxygen prescriptions are supervised by our service. Primary care precribing data in September 2009 indicated that there were 1079 active oxygen prescriptions. These data contained numerous inaccuracies. We later confirmed that there were 800 adult patients receiving oxygen in our area. The mean age was 74 (range 17-100), 52 were female. Approximately 50% are in receipt of formal long term oxygen therapy and 50% have “short burst” oxygen.445 scripts were issued by respiratory specialists, 285 by general practitioners, 70 unknown.To date we have reviewed over 650 of the original 800 patients and see >20 new referrals each month. Our experience is that many historical oxygen prescriptions were not clinically indicated (based on UK guidelines). We have reduced spending on Oxygen from £51 000 per month in Sept 09 to £44 000 per month currently.We have ongoing concerns about how best to risk assess patient in terms of potential of fire and falls. We are participating in the UK National Lung Improvement Program and are investigating how best to engage with primary care colleague and patients. We are also studying how to deal with patients who refuse to have oxygen withdrawn even when it is clinically indicated.