Diving Diseases Research Centre
| Founded | 1980 |
|---|---|
| Website | www |
The "Diving Diseases Research Centre" (alternatively known as DDRC Healthcare) is a hyperbaric medical centre in Plymouth Science Park, in southern England.
History
[edit]The centre was founded as a charitable institution in 1980.[1] Early operations involved three hyperbaric chambers, which were donated by the diving research specialist Comex, that were based in a coastal boatshed at Fort Bovisand, outside Plymouth.[2] While early work had largely focused on decompression sickness, the centre had rebranded as DDRC Healthcare by 1993, in line with increasing applications of hyperbaric medicine for other ailments, including supporting wound healing and counteracting carbon monoxide poisoning using hyperbaric oxygen chamber.[3][4]
In 1996, following several years of fundraising, the centre relocated to a greenfield site adjacent to Derriford Hospital, now known as the Plymouth Science Park.[3] It was provisioned with a new larger chamber, as well as two older chambers transported from the Fort Bovisand location, the new complex incorporated its own specialised research laboratory and training facilities for hyperbaric medicine. So provisioned, the centre could undertake various forms of research trials; to this end, it has published various reports and research papers.[3][5] Amongst other organisations, the centre has provided training to volunteers of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI).[6] It has also worked alongside the RNLI to promote fitness checks for divers.[7]
In January 2006, the centre's head, Dr Philip Bryson, gave evidence to an inquest into diver deaths, criticising the practice of compacted courses for exposing unexperienced divers too quickly to elevated risks that potentially lead to fatalities.[8]
By the 2010s, the centre was operating six chambers at two locations, Newport and Plymouth, that could treat up to 10 patients per day for various conditions.[4][9][10] While it continues to treat patients with decompression sickness, this group only comprised roughly one-third of all patients treated by 2024.[11] In 2021, work to expand the centre's Plymouth facility was completed, which has increased the range of research projects and added new equipment, including an MRI machine; funding for this expansion came from both the National Health Service and the University of Plymouth.[12]
References
[edit]- ↑ "DDRC HEALTHCARE - Charity 279652". Charity Commission for England and Wales. Retrieved 23 January 2026.
- ↑ "Behind the Scenes at DDRC – Comex Chambers". DDRC Healthcare. Retrieved 16 September 2026.
- 1 2 3 "20 Years at Plymouth Science Park". DDRC Healthcare. Retrieved 16 September 2026.
- 1 2 Segal, Andrew (30 January 2013). "Hyperbaric chambers: Not just for the bends". BBC News. Retrieved 23 January 2026.
- ↑ "All Published Research & Clinical Articles". DDRC Healthcare. Retrieved 16 September 2026.
- ↑ "Fresh from the pot, Plymouth RNLI rescue diver". DiverNet.com. 11 May 2024. Retrieved 23 January 2026.
- ↑ "RNLI offers divers free health checks at Plymouth dive centre". Royal National Lifeboat Institution. 10 July 2018.
- ↑ "Inquest warning on diving courses". BBC News. 8 August 2006. Retrieved 23 January 2026.
- ↑ "DDRC Healthcare". British Hyperbaric Association. Retrieved 23 January 2026.
- ↑ Bishop, Alexandra. "Treating non-hypoxic wounds with hyperbaric oxygen therapy". Wounds UK. 9 (March 2013): 76–79. ISSN 1746-6814.
- ↑ Sithirapathy, Ayesha (25 September 2024). "A New Foundation Doctor Role in Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine". theadventuremedic.com.
- ↑ "Project: Diving Disease Research Centre". qspmconsultants.com. Retrieved 16 September 2026.
External links
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50°25′00″N 4°06′37″W / 50.4168°N 4.1102°W
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