Ms Nicola Cassidy:

Oxygen therapy is undergoing a new process. New contracts have been awarded. That process started pre-pandemic. At that point, the patient organisations with an interest in oxygen approached the HSE to be involved in that discussion. These contracts are really important because the end user is the patient. We wanted to be the patient voice. We actively engaged in that and brought patients along to meetings with us. When the pandemic arrived, that essentially came to a standstill and has restarted in the last two years. We have been engaging with the community-funded scheme, which is rolling out the new contracts. Communication could be better. My big concern is that most lung fibrosis patients will require oxygen at some point. I have repeatedly asked for communication that we can share with patients to relieve any anxiety that will come.

That has not happened yet. Those contracts are imminent. They have been pushed back this year maybe three times. My understanding is it is to happen in April. There is a meeting we will attend with other patient organisations, but there is still no communication available for patients to reassure them this contract will improve things and has their best interests at heart. That has not happened.