Ex-miners to confront bosses

Former miners with breathing problems who have had trouble getting hold of oxygen supplies are urged to attend a meeting in Cannock to confront bosses.

Representatives of oxygen supply firm Air Products are expected to be at Monday's meeting, which has been called to try and put an end to recent problems.

The meeting will be in The Davy Unit at Cannock Chase Hospital, in Brunswick Road, Cannock, between 7-9pm and Cannock Chase MP Tony Wright has encouraged people who have suffered problems to go along.He said: "There have been real problems for local people in securing regular oxygen supplies and timely advice and help since the supply contract went over to Air Products.

"From my postbag, it seems that most of these problems have been resolved but I am encouraging local people to go along to the meeting to express their views and to get the reassurances they need about continuity of supply."

He had been contacted by several people in the district who were worried about changes to the home oxygen supplies service for people with breathing problems.

Minister of State Andy Burnham stepped in and assured people things were being done to address supply problems after Mr Wright took on the plight to get things sorted.

Ex-Rawnsley miner Ken Parsons, who has chronic breathing difficulties, had to wait eight days to get his cylinder replaced.

Other problems then came to light after the MP asked for more sufferers to get in touch.

The meeting is being held in conjunction with the Primary Care Trust's new specialist team for COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease).