Christine Wrench and colleagues discuss the challenges that had to be overcome to provide equitable treatment for patients in Sheffield, and meet national guidelines
The Sheffield home oxygen assessment and review service was developed as a nurse-led, protocol-driven service, offering high standards of care to a limited number of patients. In line with national changes to oxygen provision in 2011, the service team was approached to address inconsistencies and inequalities in the existing care pathway, with a view to becoming a fully commissioned service. This required a complete redesign of the service, using a collaborative approach to include relevant interested parties in planning and decision making. Additional support was gained through participation in the NHS Improvement lung national improvement project. This article outlines the process of service redesign, including some of the major challenges as well as the main learning points. It has led to the provision of an equitable and efficient service for all oxygen patients across the city, offering more community clinics and robust cost controls, while maintaining quality of care.
Nursing Older People. 27, 2, 18-24. doi: 10.7748/nop.27.2.18.e664
Correspondence Peer reviewThis article has been subject to double blind peer review
Conflict of interestNone declared
Received: 21 November 2014
Accepted: 19 January 2015
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