Q4 2025 Update from the Multicenter Registry for Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

UK Center Status

There’s unsettling news from the U.K. This year, the National Health Service (NHS) in England proposed reducing the current eight contracted hyperbaric units to six. The only approved indications for hyperbaric treatment are decompression sickness and air embolism. In keeping with this limitation, commissioning contracts were revised, with a new requirement that each contracted unit must operate 24/7 and be capable of treating critically ill and ventilated patients inside the chamber. As of October 1, 2025, only three units were commissioned: 

• • DDRC (DDRC Healthcare Plymouth) 
  • CHI (St. Richards Hospital, Chicester) 
  • EOE (James Paget University Hospital Great Yarmouth)

With only three units operating, there will be no functioning hyperbaric chamber north of Great Yarmouth or in the West of England, raising significant patient safety concerns due to longer transfers and delays. The British Hyperbaric Association (BHA) has submitted strong objections to commissioners and other decision-makers, including politicians, seeking a more rational distribution of contracted centers. With fewer centers open and decreased treatment capacity UK REDCap data collection may be affected

II. Ongoing Outcomes Projects 

The following research studies are currently in progress:

1. Assessing whether outcomes for patients with late radiation effects treated with hyperbaric oxygen differ when treated with 2.0 vs 2.4 ATA 
2. Measuring improvements in key outcomes of hyperbaric therapy efficacy for the treatment of radiation proctitis 
3. Assessing registry outcomes for compromised flaps and grafts 
4. Effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss 
5. Treatment strategies versus outcome in arterial gas embolism
6. Outcomes for osteoradionecrosis in patients treated with hyperbaric oxygen
7. Outcomes for brain radionecrosis in patients treated with hyperbaric oxygen

III. Training & Knowledge Sharing:

• Andrew Melnyczenko (Mayo Clinic) recently delivered an excellent presentation on “Managing Hyperbaric Registry Data in a Multiplace Facility.” It offers practical, high-value guidance and is an ideal reference for newly participating centers.
• The video recording has been uploaded to the UHMS registry page, so other centers can access it as a learning resource. https://www.uhms.org/resources/uhms-supported-hyperbaric-registry/multicenter-registry-for-hyperbaric-oxygen-therapy.html