A charity that intends to open a new hyperbaric chamber has paid tribute to its predecessor.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Isle of Man (HBOT IOM) has been formed by a group of supporters of hyperbaric medicine.

Technical consultant and advisor David Downie MBE will be involved in the plans to re-open the facility with a new hyperbaric chamber, which will be named The Kevin Gray Chamber. The exchange of operational management to the new charity follows 35 years during which the Kevin Gray Memorial Charity operated a hyperbaric chamber.

The charity was set up with the donation of equipment after Kevin Gray lost his life as a result of untreated decompression sickness.

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 believed to be resolved or improved by the use of high dose oxygen.

The chairman of the new charity, 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 reins to Dr Frank Vaughan and supported throughout by Professor Philip James.

The doctors were also members of the Kevin Gray Memorial Charity.

Dr 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 will remove both existing chambers and the commission a new chamber for the Peel Road premises behind the fire station.

Due to data protection the new charity is asking that the patients who were receiving treatments upon the closure in June to contact Debbie Barron with their preferred contact details. Telephone 626394 between 9am to 3pm.

Former MHK John Houghton, the new manager at HBOT IOM, said: ’It will take many months to commission the replacement chamber and instal 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.’