Smokers wanting NHS oxygen delivered to their home must sign up to smoking quit services, under a new policy that will be discussed by Swindon health chiefs this week.

The policy, which has been developed by 12 clinical commissioning groups across the south west, will see oxygen given only if patients sign a “declaration form”. 

By signing it, they agree to sign up to a range of treatments – including support from the local NHS smoking quit service. 

In the policy – which will be discussed by Swindon NHS Clinical Commissioning Group’s governing body on Thursday – it says that if people fail to comply, “then oxygen will not be prescribed and if already commenced it may be withdrawn”.