Hyperbaric Medicine Facility to Change Ownership

Tue, 26 Mar 2019

The Hyperbaric Medicine Facility which has been closed since last June will be taken over by a new charity at the end of March.

The new charity is to be known as Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Isle of Man (HBOT IOM) has been formed by an enthusiastic and dedicated group of supporters of Hyperbaric Medicine. Technical consultant and advisor David Downie MBE will be involved in the plans to reopen the facility as soon as possible with a new Hyperbaric Chamber installed and will be named “The Kevin Gray Chamber”.

The exchange of operational management to the new charity follows a 35 year period of valuable service delivery from its inception by the Kevin Gray Memorial Charity,following research presented by Dr Hamm and Professor Philip James. The charity was set up with the donation of equipment after Kevin Gray lost his life as a result of untreated Decompression Sickness. Throughout the years the organisation has treated many patients suffering from diving related disease, along with many thousands who were in need of hyperbaric medicine for conditions that were shown to be resolved or improved by the use of high dose oxygen. A wonderful record by which the outgoing charity must always be remembered.

Chairman of the new charity HBOT IOM Mr Ean Radcliffe said “The members of the Kevin Gray Memorial Charity should be truly proud of providing such a wonderful service over many years. I would like to put on record my sincere appreciation for all that they have done.”

Dr Richard Hamm and the late Dr David Chalmers worked tirelessly over the years before handing over the reigns to Dr Frank Vaughan and supported throughout by Professor Philip James . The Doctors were also members of the Kevin Gray Memorial Charity.

In responding Doctor Vaughan said “I have enjoyed working alongside my colleagues on the charity and at the facility and have been proud to assist those many patients who have benefited from treatment over the years. I wish the individuals in the new charity every good fortune in their endeavours.”

HBOT IOM have their work cut out in its preparation of detailed arrangements which will include the removal of both existing chambers and the commissioning of a New Chamber into the Peel Road premises located behind the Fire station.

Due to data protection the new charity requests that the patients who were receiving treatments upon the closure in June to please contact Debbie Barron with their preferred contact details. Please telephone 626394 between 9.00am -3pm.

John Houghton, New Manager at HBOT IOM said” It will take many months to commission the replacement chamber and the installation of essential equipment with the arrangement of medical support and ongoing staff training before we can reopen.  As ever we will have to rely upon the goodwill and support of the community as much needed essential fundraising will be required in order to achieve our goals and provide a hyperbaric service that the island can be proud of”.

ENDS

Further Information:

1. HBOT IOM will issue regular media releases as and when they develop a new service.

2. HBOT IOM Members of the Charity are; President Mr David Downie MBE, Chairman Mr Ean Radcliffe, Vice Chairman Mr John Houghton, Secretary Ms Debbie Barron, Treasurer Mr Keith Watterson.

3. HBOT IOM Registered Charity in the Isle of Man (No. 1274)