A HAMPSHIRE man who relies on home oxygen cylinders to aid his breathing has complained new suppliers could be putting lives at risk.

Shaun Leggett, 37, claims he has had to put up with supplies being delivered late and mix-ups since private supplier Allied Respiratory took over provision of the service from health chiefs earlier this year.

The father-of-three needs oxygen after being diagnosed with a neurological disorder and respiratory problems three years ago.

Local pharmacists used to deliver his cylinders. But Allied Respiratory took over supplies for the Gosport and Fareham area in February in a bid to provide more modern equipment and a round the clock advice service.

Mr Leggett, pictured, said: "I have lost all confidence in this company. Once when they got my delivery date wrong and I asked them to come round sooner the delivery-man was extremely rude.

"I then found out that they had mixed up my details with another patient."

The former facilities manager and his wife Donna, 36 from Abshot Road, Titchfield Common, also had a shock when part of the new equipment exploded while they were on the motorway.

"It could have been very dangerous. We had to go back home and pick up more supplies. In my belief it's only a matter of time before a major incident occurs."

He added: "At least the old system was trustworthy."

Fareham MP Mark Hoban has written to health secretary Patricia Hewitt to find out what has gone wrong after dissatisfied patients got in touch.

"I have already had two constituents complaining about problems with the new service," he said.

"I want to know why people are experiencing these problems."

PCT bosses admitted there had been problems supplying oxygen cylinders when Allied Respiratory took over and have asked pharmacists to keep helping out until the problems die down.

A spokesman for the PCT said: "Regrettably, some of our patients experienced difficulty in obtaining oxygen cylinders after February 1.

"To assist the new service to deal with the backlog of work, we have formalised the system whereby community pharmacists continue to supply oxygen for the foreseeable future."

Managing director at Allied Respiratory, Steve Gullick, said "We are continuing to work with PCTs and the NHS to keep problems to a minimum and to ensure patients receive the oxygen care they need."