Hyperbaric medical centre

The Diving Diseases Research Centre (DDRC) is a UK registered charity (Charity No: 279652) which offers hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy to NHS or privately referred patients. As partners in care both DDRC and Spire Cardiff Hospital are committed to ensuring patients receive excellent care from experts within the field of hyperbaric medicine.

Our Hyperbaric Medical Centre accommodates two treatment chambers giving us the ability to treat an increasing number of patients.

The Centre staff comprises trained medical, clinical and administrative support staff, all of whom will be more than happy to help during your visit to The South Wales Hyperbaric Centre.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is a means of providing additional oxygen to your body tissues. By increasing the amount of oxygen in the tissues the healing process is enhanced. The therapy is painless and has the potential for good results.

Breathing 100% oxygen under pressure allows the oxygen to be dissolved into plasma which is a liquid part of your circulation. When this occurs, the oxygen will be beneficial to your body for a longer period of time – up to 2 hours after your treatment is over.

HBO Therapy may be used in medical problems such as burns, skin grafts, radiotherapy damaged tissues and bone infections. Emergency conditions such as, gas gangrene, carbon monoxide poisoning, cyanide poisoning, air embolism and of course decompression illness are also treated.

Regular Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy means that your body has the potential for the following benefits:

Increased amounts of oxygen to injured tissues
Promote blood vessel formation especially in micro-circulation to increase blood flow
Reduce swelling
Reduction and inactivation of some infections
Promote healing of wounds
Help in preserving compromised tissues
Stimulate new bone formation
Reduce effects of some specific toxic substances
Reduction of any gas air bubbles in divers

Once you have been referred to us by your doctor or consultant we will arrange your treatment dates and accommodation as necessary. The amount of treatment sessions you require may vary depending on your clinical diagnosis. Some patients may require 40 treatments whilst others need 20 to 25 pre operatively followed by a period of 10 to 15 post operative.

On arrival at the Centre you will be met by our Centre Manager Keri Williams. She will fully explain the treatment process, this appointment will take about an hour. Patient safety is always our main priority, therefore patients will also undergo some pre treatment tests to ensure you are well enough for the therapy. Following this, the team will confirm the date and time of your subsequent treatment protocol.

For further information or referral to our centre in Spire Cardiff Hospital is via DDRC Plymouth, please call 017 5220 9999.