A first stage payment of £157,000 has been made by the island’s Hyperbaric Chamber charity to restore a facility that was treating 45 patients a day when it closed in 2018 because of technical issues.

A new chamber has been ordered from Haux of Germany.

The second stage payment is due to be handed over this autumn but the charity still needs to raise most of the third stage payment of £131,000 before shipment can be made.

Charity chairman John Watterson said: ’As trustees we were very pleased to sign the purchase contract for the new chamber with the world leading manufacturer Haux. Our island’s population needs it and it is no less than they deserve.’

Fellow director Debbie Barron said: ’This is a monumental day for our charity and half way to making it a reality.

’We now have to undertake the major building works to the facility, all necessary and complimentary for the services needed when the facility opens once more.’

The previous facility improved thousands of lives over almost four decade.

Hyperbaric medicine speeds up healing in a number of illnesses, including carbon monoxide poisoning, gangrene, wounds and decompression sickness.

The new chamber will take approximately nine months to manufacture and ship to the island.

It will contain the latest equipment and be able to treat diving casualties as well as a range of illnesses, within one chamber, where previously there were two separate chambers.

Mr Watterson said: ’When the charity has raised all of the money needed for the chamber the intention is to launch a second campaign for funds which will be set aside for the refurbishment costs of the facility and further costs of new hyperbaric equipment, training, medical gases and sundries for patient usage before we are able to open.

’In the future it is envisaged that the Isle of Man will be back on the map as one of the 12 hyperbaric medicine facilities in the United Kingdom (sic).’

There will be activities across the island as part of the fund raising campaign.

Mr Watterson said: ’We continue to warmly welcome any donations or fund raising events towards this campaign and if anyone would like to write or call in to our Peel Road, Douglas, facility to discuss fundraising or leaving a legacy they are most welcome to do so.’