NHS England have launched a consultation on their Review of Hyperbaric Oxygen Services in England.
The Treatment of Decompression illness (DCI) with Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is acknowledged as the only treatment for this potential debilitating or fatal condition, and consequently is subject to current commissioning under the NHS.
All NHS commissioned services are subject to regular review for commissioning and service provision and BSAC regularly is invited and participates in such reviews representing the views and interests of divers.
The current consultation proposes some changes to the current service specification based on three areas:
- Improve timeliness of access to treatment for patients.
- Reduce variation in access to care for critically ill patients.
- Ensure long-term outcomes for patients are monitored and reviewed.
Chamber provision reconfiguration
The main impact of the proposals for divers are in a reconfiguration of number of commissioned HBOT centres in England from 8 centres to 6. This is based on a geographical scope of these services ensures that there is no more than 4 hours travelling time (by road). Good practice guidelines set out optimal time to treatment from symptom onset as within 6 hours.
BSAC will be formally responding to the consultation, which could see the number of NHS chambers in England reduced.
During the consultation, divers and groups can contribute to the review by completing the consultation survey before the 13 October closing date. Please read the Consultation guide, which contains the link to the online survey, carefully to understand the proposal before responding.
Mary Tetley, BSAC CEO said:
We are talking to other parties involved with this consultation in order to get the best results we can on behalf of our members. If you have anything that you would like us to feed in directly, please do email me on maryt@bsac.com.
BSAC will keep members updated on any further developments on the proposal.
