Lynn News and Advertiser
October 2, 2006
HEADLINE: This discrimination must end - widower
THE widower of a Lynn woman who died from respiratory disease is fighting to end the discrimination suffered by patients using portable oxygen cylinders.
Paul Biggs, treasurer of West Norfolk patient support group Breathe Easy, said: "These patients are often not allowed on buses or in taxis because drivers fear the cannisters are unsafe - but this is not true.
"A majority of our 30 members are elderly, sometimes frail, and rely on buses and taxis to get around.
"It's ironic that on the one hand they are being given free bus passes, while on the other they are being denied access.
"There was one incident when an oxygen user was allowed to travel to Peterborough on one bus, but was then left stranded because they were not allowed to travel on the bus home."
Mr Biggs (69), of Lynn's South Quay, believes the current system, which sees drivers using their own discretion, could breach discrimination laws.
"The entire situation is borne out of ignorance," he said. "People see the oxygen nose piece, and then view that person as a problem or dangerous.
"Oxygen therapy is increasingly widespread, but knowledge about it is not."
Mr Biggs even has a letter from Norfolk Fire Service, which states that one oxygen cylinder would not constitute a major risk. In it, Lynn Fire Station's local risk manager Tim Edwards also states: "I carry oxygen in my own vehicle and it's stored in a padded bag."
West Norfolk councillor David Harwood, portfolio holder for community, said there was nothing in taxi and private hire licences which related to oxygen users, and nothing which directed drivers to either grant or deny access to them.
"Although the borough council issues licences to taxi operators, it is the central government which draws them up. In this matter, we act as agents for the Government," Mr Harwood said.
"On a personal and a moral level, I think it's ridiculous and could be putting people at risk.
"I can't see any reason for taxi drivers to refuse these fares. As far as I know, the cylinders are safe and designed to take knocks."
Mr Biggs'wife, Josephine, died from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, aged 69 in August.
She was a founding member of Breathe Easy in West Norfolk, and Mr Biggs asked for donations in lieu of flowers at her funeral, raising more than £900 for the charity.
Breathe Easy is a support charity for the British Lung Foundation.
The money raised will be donated by the foundation to support a number of different projects.
daisy.wallage@lynnnews.co.uk
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