BSAC is concerned that the Midlands, North West and North East of England could potentially be left without provision of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) following an NHS bid process.
BSAC is concerned with the news that three recompression chambers in the Midlands, North West and North East of England have been unsuccessful in their bids to offer recompression treatment in their respective areas. The potential 60% reduction in HBOT facilities in just 12 months risks compromising not only the health of individuals but also the fair access to treatment services across the country. The loss of services further exposes the vulnerabilities in our healthcare system and raises concerns about the prioritisation of diver welfare.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is a recognised treatment for Decompression Illness (DCI) in divers and is classified as a specialist service funded by the NHS. Specialist services are commissioned by the NHS and subject to a bidding process on a regular cycle where service providers are invited to submit a bid to provide the service in a specific area (Lot) and are required to demonstrate how they will deliver the service to specified standards.
BSAC understands that three of the bids did not meet the requirements in some way and is seeking to understand why the NHS has rejected bids covering all HBOT services in the Midlands, North West and North East of England . The Contract award notice, whilst noting the awards and those not awarded, also details that “Representations by providers must be made to the relevant authority by Tuesday 27 May 2025.”, giving little time for service providers to challenge the decision.
This decision not only affects divers, the NHS also commissions treatment of AGE - Arterial Gas Embolism, in these chambers. Whilst other treatments might benefit from hyperbaric oxygen therapy, only DCI and AGE are officially commissioned and under current contracts will not have any provision in the Midlands, North West or North East of England.
As National Governing Body for SCUBA and Snorkelling in the UK, diver safety is paramount to us. The potential imminent significant decrease in NHS funded HBOT provision in England is unacceptable for the UK dive industry. BSAC will be working closely with the British Diving Safety Group (BDSG) and all other dive industry representatives and key stakeholders to lobby the government for the restoration of HBOT in the three areas of concern – The Midlands, North West and North East.
