DDRC Healthcare

new HelloBar(23462,26242); #wrapper #content .post .copy img {max-width: 100%;height:auto!important;} For advice on Diving Emergencies and Urgent Hyperbaric Referrals contact DDRC on [phone] DDRC Healthcare is a Charity specialising in Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine, Medical Treatment, Research and Training. (We were previously known as the Diving Diseases Research Centre).

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Student Nurse Placement

Student Nurse, Sarah Grimshaw

Every year DDRC Healthcare offer 2nd or 3rd year student nurses the opportunity to have their placement with us. Approximately four student nurses spend time with us each year, learning about Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy and its many uses. The placement last eight weeks and is allocated by their host Trust.

As the placements are allocated to the students some may have no prior knowledge of hyperbaric medicine. We offer a unique experience of working with routine patients dealing with many medical conditions eg. diabetes, cancer, hard to heal wounds and those suffering a diving related condition such as decompression illness.

Whilst attending their placement, students are allocated a mentor for the duration and, under supervision, are able to carry out medical procedures in wound care, dressings, blood pressure, blood count, eye tests and step test. Students attend a weekly Multi-Disciplinary Team meeting, assist with social care for patients and attend external clinics such as the diabetic foot clinic at Derriford Hospital.

If a student should not be allocated an eight week placement and wish to find out more about us we can also offer a one day experience in their third year and, of course, we always offer Talks & Tours of our facilities.

Sarah Grimshaw has recently completed her eight week placement and knew nothing about us before coming here. Sarah said: “I have found the whole subject of hyperabic oxygen therapy really interesting. I had never heard about it but found the variety of patients really useful and I have had such a lot of hands on experience.”

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‘Diving on the Edge’how you can get involved!

DDRC Healthcare holds a bi-annual conference for divers which attracts international speakers and this year was no exception. As part of our charitable aims to support the diving community with education and information, DDRC Healthcare subsidises this conference and attracts divers from across the country.

2017′s programme included the following speakers and their subject matters. Links will provide details of how you can get involved in projects and surveys.

Dr Martin Sayer is the current head of the UK’s National Facility for Scientific Diving. He has been a science diver for 40 years having been involved with or led science diving expeditions in all of the world’s Seven Oceans. Presentation 1: Scientific Diving in Remote Locations- www.nfsd.org.uk;  www.facebook.com/NFSDscientificdiving;  www.sams.ac.uk

Presentation 2: Citizen Science -  www.diveintoscience.org; www.nature.com/articles/srep30164

Gavin Anthony is a diving and life support expert consultant. He worked as a Technical Manager for Maritime Life Support at QinetiQ Haslar and as the HSE registered diving contractor for QinetiQ. He is an HSE Pt III diver, recreational instructor and technical expert in diving technology, systems, safety and operations. Presentation: Some Aspects of Thermal Protection. Gavin is a Trustee, great promoter and long standing supporter of the BSAC Jubilee Trust http://www.bsac.com/page.asp?section=1913§ionTitle=BSA+Jubilee+Trust. He has also recently been presented with the EUROTEK Lifetime Achievement Award.

Roz Lunn, The Underwater Marketing Company and Eurotek organiser, presents Gavin with award (centre)

Paul Cox is Managing Director of the Shark Trust and a Marine Biologist with a Science Communication specialism. He has significant previous experience at senior level in a commercially-focused marine conservation charity. Presentation: Sharks on the Edge; http://www.sharktrust.org/

Rachel Alcock is a marine environmentalist with the Marine Conservation Society’s (MCS) campaign ensuring that UK waters are protected for generations to come, via a network of Marine Protected Areas. As a Senior Campaigner for MCS, her role involves lobbying for further designation of Marine Protected Areas in the UK. Presentation: Campaign Ocean Devotion. 

Christine Grosart is the project manager for Project Baseline South Wales Caves and has been involved in setting up Ghost Fishing UK. She is a cave diver and explorer with over a decade of experience of caves around the world, holding the UK female cave diving depth record in Wookey Hole Caves. Presentation: Cave Diving / Ghost Fishing UK:  http://www.ghostfishing.org/; https://www.facebook.com/GhostFishingUK/; https://www.flickr.com/photos/147582826@N07; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hrZ8Ce1LPw; http://www.cavediving.org.uk/

Mark Powell is a TDI Instructor Trainer and a member of TDI’s Global Training Advisor Panel. He is a regular contributor to a number of diving magazines and a regular speaker at International Diving conferences. Mark’s passion is wreck diving and spends all his spare time diving the wrecks around the coastline of the UK and abroad and has led expeditions to a wide range of locations around the world. Presentation: Diving the Britannic: http://www.dive-tech.co.uk/; http://hmhsbritannic.weebly.com/

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Paramedic experience

Mark Gill, a 3rd year student Paramedic Technician at Plymouth University has recently completed a week’s placement with us. In the third year students can choose from a list of elective placements and, being a diver and ex Navy Submariner, Mark was really keen to come and spend some time with us.

Mark has also had vast experience in  water rescue from boats and volunteered at the 2012 London Olympics supporting water rescue from waterborne sports such as the canoe sprint. Mark’s previous experience also includes teaching the Fire Service in Oxfordshire in processes on board their water rescue ribs.

He therefore has variety of experiences to bring to his role as a paramedic and to try to fulfill his long term ambition of becoming an off-shore medic.

Mark said: “I was very aware of the work of DDRC Healthcare in their support of emergency divers suffering from Decompression Illness or the ‘bends’ but not at all aware of the wound care treatment carried out here. 

I did not realise that referred patients come here for hyperbaric treatment and, if required, highly specialised wound care to complement their treatment. 

Senior Nurse Ali Bishop heads up a team of highly skilled and trained specialist tissue viability nurses and I was blown away with her knowledge and dedication. 

The whole place is friendly and welcoming and staff have time to spend with their patients. I had no idea of the commitment from patients too who routinely attend for 8 weeks of treatment (1 dive per day) for 8 weeks. 

The fact that DDRC Healthcare is a charity and pays for patient’s accommodation should they be travelling a long way, is truly remarkable. I have really enjoyed my week here and the experience of learning more about hyperbaric medicine, teaching me things I knew nothing about.”

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Working to the highest European standards

DDRC Healthcare, Hyperbaric Medical Centre, is regarded as a world renowned centre of excellence and recognises the value of highly trained staff. Wherever possible nursing and chamber staff are encouraged to undertake independently accredited external certification, thus achieving “best practice” recognition for their role.

Included in this is the European Baromedical Association (EBAss) and European College of Baromedicine (ECB) qualifications which encompass both practical and theoretical training enabling our hyperbaric technicians and nurses to obtain an internationally recognised qualification of European Certified Hyperbaric Registered Nurse (ECHRN) or European Certified and Hyperbaric Chamber Operator (ECHCO). We ensure our staff achieve this within two years of their starting work with us.

The EBAss scheme of independently accredited examinations aims for technicians and nurses, throughout Europe, to be examined on their abilities by an independent body.

DDRC Healthcare is the only hyperbaric chamber in the country to have staff qualified to EBAss standards and is delighted that three of our nursing team have recently passed their examinations.

Nurses (l to r) Sarah Witts, Del Waller & Jo Small with Operations Director Pete Atkey

Peter Atkey, DDRC Healthcare’s Operations Director said:” In 2010 EBAss launched a Pan European examination system for personnel working in the field of Medical Hyperbaric facilities. All our staff serving more than two years are currently either qualified or are working towards EBAss accreditation which reflects the high standards we work to. European standards of training are of paramount importance in building confidence in Hyperbaric Chamber facilities. Ensuring all Hyperbaric Chamber personnel achieve this level of training and certification will mean that doctors, health professionals and of course patients can be confident in the skills and knowledge of the chamber personnel. 

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Hyperbaric Facility Talks & Tours

Hyperbaric medicine is used to treat a wide range of conditions. We are best known for treating divers with decompression illness (DCI) or ‘the bends’, but only approximately one third of our patients are divers. 

The majority of our patients are treated under the NHS and we work closely with NHS colleagues from across the country to support both emergency and non-emergency patients. 

We use Hyperbaric Oxygen (HBO) therapy to treat a specific list of conditions for which there is strong evidence that the treatment is effective. HBO involves patients breathing 100% oxygen whilst inside a pressurised treatment chamber. 

Because of our specialism, staff are always really keen to encourage people to come and visit us to see the range and breadth of work we do here. Whether an ex-patient, friend, supporter or just curious you will always receive a warm welcome.

24 Commando Engineer Regiment Dive Team 

Talks and Tours appeal to a wide range of audience including the military services, students, WI’s, Schools, Hospitals and other charities. These more structured tours include a presentation on what we do and a tour of our fascinating hyperbaric chambers. We can tailor the content of our Talk to your group. 

A Talk and Tour normally lasts around 2 hours and maximum group size is 20. It may be possible for us to provide a talk to your group, off site, depending upon our availability and your requirements.

We do not charge a fee for our Talks and Tours but, as a charity, we would happily accept a donation.

Plymouth Health Services Retire Staff

(Pot Dives (also known as Dry Dives) can also be provided, allowing divers to safely experience pressurisation in one of our chambers. These are subject to appropriate and acceptable paperwork being submitted.))

If you think you or your group might be interested in visiting us please send an email to [email protected] and we will do our best to accommodate you.

(Please note that we are a 24 emergency service and therefore some plans might have to change with short notice.)

Ghana Link Chamber of Commerce

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Dr Gao Junior Doctor

Dr. Aaron Gao has been with us for the past 6 months having been successful in applying for one of our twice yearly Junior Doctor posts. These posts are highly sought after by medical students. Aaron said:

“I missed the first application deadline and very nearly missed the interview for this post as I was allocated a hospital a long way away from Plymouth. Luckily enough I was able to be interviewed via Skype and was successful. I have a great interest in both diving itself and in diving medicine and so I was delighted to be offered the opportunity to join the DDRC Healthcare team.”

Aaron was in fact born in China but moved to Aberdeen with his family when he was four and a half years old. After his schooling he joined the University of Dundee to start his studies in medicine, completing his F1/2 years in Aberdeen before moving to a hospital in Slough. 

“A friend pointed out the Junior Doctor post at DDRC and thought it would be perfect for me, given my interest in emergency medicine and scuba diving, and I must say the last 6 months have been of really great interest. I have learned so much about hyperbaric medicine, especially in the array of medical problems referred patients present with and how we can help them in this specialist field. I have also had my eyes opened to some of the considerations required in diving to make it a safe sport to undertake.”

Aaron’s future hopes to be in Emergency Medicine or even military service as he has an interest in the Army. 

“I have enjoyed my time in Plymouth very much. I did come here when I was 16 with the Army Cadets so it was nice to come back again. I have learnt so much and worked with a great team.”

Aaron forgot to mention his love of skydiving too!

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Re-validation - Jo Small

Jo Small, DDRC Healthcare Specialist Tissue Viability Nurse, recently undertook her qualification revalidation.

“In April 2016 the Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC) introduced a new revalidation process that all nurses and midwives in the UK need to follow to maintain their registration with the NMC. This process will also help to demonstrate that best practice is carried out safely and effectively and will encourage a culture of sharing and improvement.

I completed my re-validation process in September and I was the first registered nurse at DDRC Healthcare to go through this new revalidation process. 

Initially I was quite anxious of what it was going to involve and whether it would be complicated, but following attending a presentation from Kerri-Ann (one of our hyperbaric nurses at our chamber in Wales) and reading up on the re-validation process on the NHS website, my worries were alleviated. It was also very valuable looking through the forms and discussing with my nursing colleagues.

The process proved to be straightforward and beneficial and it has certainly encouraged me to use the code in my every day practice.

The requirements for re-validating include the following:

·         Having practiced for a minimum of 450 hours over a 3 year period since your registration was last renewed

·         35 hours of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) of which 20 hours must be participatory activity undertaken with one or more professionals  

·         Obtained at least five pieces of practice related feedback

·         Prepared and written five reflective accounts

·         Had reflective discussion with another NMC registrant, discussing your reflective accounts and how they apply to the code

·         Having met with my line manager to demonstrate I have met re-validation requirements

As a registered nurse I will need to revalidate every 3 years with the Nursing & Midwifery Council but I believe that this is vital in maintaining the high standard of nursing I aim to achieve and feel proud of in my patient care.”

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Qualsafe Accredited Centre

We are very pleased to announce that DDRC Professional Services has been approved as a Registered Centre to deliver Qualsafe Awards regulated courses. These courses are clinically endorsed by the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh faculty of pre-hospital care.

We are now able to offer Qualsafe Awards (QA) Level 3 Certificate in First Response Emergency Care (QCF), Level 3 conversion from First Person On Scene (intermediate) (FPOSi) / Diver Medic Technician (DMT)  &  MCA STCW Certificate of Proficiency in Medical Care and  Qualsafe Awards (QA) Level 4 Certificate in First Response Emergency Care.

“These regulated and nationally recognised prehospital care qualification is clinically endorsed by The Faculty of Pre-Hospital Care- The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, and fulfils the competencies set out in the Pre-hospital Emergency Medicine (PHEM) skills framework at descriptor level D.

The QA Level 3 Certificate in First Response Emergency Care (QCF) is one of the few first aid qualifications recognised by the Security Industry Authority (SIA).” http:/(/www.qualsafeawards.org/L3FREC.  

(DDRC Professional Services scenario training and ‘real’ casualty situations) 

These Ofqual regulated pre-hospital care qualifications are ideal for those who have a specific responsibility to respond to emergency situations or those working in high threat situations e.g. close protection. The skills taught are also suited to medical response teams, fire and police officers, industrial first aiders, healthcare providers and community responders. 

If you are looking to enhance your experience or are looking for a change in your career FREC might be the way forward.

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Charity ‘DDRC Healthcare’ Celebrates 20 Years at Plymouth Science Park

It is truly remarkable how much can change in 20 years. In 1996 the Spice Girls released their debut hit ‘Wannabe’, whilst ‘Take That’ announced they were splitting up, Dolly the Sheep was born (the first mammal cloned from an adult cell), DVDs were launched in Japan and only around 4% of the UK population had internet access.  

Meanwhile, in Plymouth that same year, the land adjacent to Derriford Hospital, now occupied by the 25 acre campus of Plymouth Science Park which houses over 80 scientific and technological businesses, was just a field. The first resident business was about to arrive.

A small charity called the Diving Diseases Research Centre (‘DDRC’ - now ‘DDRC Healthcare’) had been running a hyperbaric chamber facility from a draughty boatshed by the sea at Fort Bovisand near Plymouth since 1980 and they desperately needed to improve their facilities. The hyperbaric chambers were used predominantly to treat SCUBA divers who experienced decompression illness, also known as ‘the bends’. 

Understanding of diving and hyperbaric medicine was fast expanding, together with a growing recognition of the potential for using hyperbaric medicine to deliver wider medical benefits to patients with conditions such as chronic non-healing wounds, diabetic foot ulcers or carbon monoxide poisoning. 

By 1993 DDRC had begun a worldwide fundraising campaign to support the construction of a new base in Plymouth, including holding a ‘Global Raffle’ with incredible prizes on offer such as dream holidays to East Africa, the Philippines, Florida, Mexico and the Red Sea, as well as diving equipment and even a RIB boat. 

In total over £125,000 was raised for the new DDRC facility and a site adjacent to the Derriford Hospital grounds became the site for the purpose built hyperbaric medical centre to serve the South West of England. 

By 1996 the two-storey Hyperbaric Medical Centre was ready to open, complete with research laboratory, medical treatment bays, training rooms and offices. Two of the ‘Comex’ hyperbaric chambers were transferred from the old Fort Bovisand site and installed in the new bespoke facility, alongside a large multi-place ‘Krug’ hyperbaric chamber which could take up to 9 patients at once, some of whom could be wheeled in on trolleys or in wheel-chairs. 

The unit has since also installed a single user ‘Perry’ mono-place hyperbaric chamber which is particularly useful for patients participating in research trials, or those who have medical conditions which make it more problematic to wear a hood or mask to deliver oxygen in the usual way.

Further businesses were established around DDRC’s Hyperbaric Medical Centre. Initially Tamar Science Park (subsequently re-named Plymouth Science Park) was opened as a joint initiative between Plymouth University and Plymouth City Council, aiming to support economic growth in the region. After the arrival of the Hyperbaric Medical Centre, the Innovation and Technology Transfer Centre was opened in 1998 offering business workspaces and then in 2004 the Peninsula School of Medicine was built. 

Now Plymouth Science Park boasts a joint turnover in the region of £100 million and employs around 800 people in many of the city’s priority economic sectors including Medical and Healthcare, Digital and Creative, and Research and Development. Phase 5 is currently under construction and is due to be completed by the end of 2016.

Being located alongside the South West region’s major trauma centre, Derriford Hospital, the Plymouth University Peninsula School of Medicine and Dentistry (PUPSMD) and within a successful Science Park environment has enabled DDRC Healthcare (the charity which runs the Hyperbaric Medical Centre) to further expand their services and business opportunities both here in the UK and overseas, through two trading subsidiaries. ‘DDRC Wound Care’ provides specialist wound care services to the public and ‘DDRC Professional Services’ delivers medicals, and a wide range of medical and first aid courses targeted primarily to divers, sailors and offshore workers, but also meeting the needs of many other business sectors.

According to DDRC Healthcare Chief Executive, Dr Gary Smerdon, 

“Our journey from a leaky boat shed by the sea to a modern medical facility in Plymouth Science Park has enabled us to grow and establish ourselves as a national and international leader in diving and hyperbaric medical research, treatment and education. From here we are now seeing a solid growth in exporting our expertise, particularly in the Middle East region at present. We are continuing to explore new ways to help support delivery of NHS funded patient care services and to identify opportunities to further improve our facilities over the next 20 years.”  

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Hyperbaric networking in Switzerland

The annual European Underwater and Baromedical Society (EUBS) conference was this year held at the International Conference Centre in Geneva, Switzerland. EUBS is the European scientific society dedicated to the study and promotion of diving and hyperbaric medicine.

DDRC Healthcare Operations Director, Pete Atkey attended the conference.

“This annual conference was, once again, very well attended by the great and the good of the diving and hyperbaric world and offered a great deal of networking opportunities.  There were a number of eminent speakers, including representatives from the Hyperbaric Center of Geneva who delivered very interesting and thought provoking presentations.  There were also a large number of very interesting posters covering a wide range of subjects.

Geneva is a beautiful city that was very well suited to hosting this conference.

Next year’s conference will be in the city of Ravena in Italy where all will reassemble for another round of professional development.

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Ron meets Valerie

Ron McBride is one of DDRC Professional Services’ Training Officers but he is also a volunteer First Responder for the South West Ambulance Service along with his wife Tracey, a registered nurse.Recently Ron attended the Blue Light Users Conference. This event attracts all the Training members from all the Emergency Services which includes Coastguard, RNLI and Private Ambulance Services.

“I was a member of the Association of Industrial Road Safety Officers when 20 years ago I was asked if I would like to be part of a Conference team that was being formed in order to run a one off Blue Light Users Conference. I was asked if I would take on the role of Exhibitors Manager. Twenty Years later I am still looking after the exhibitors and I have already been asked to remain on the team for next year.

For some years now my wife Tracey has been coming to the conference and helping out the team on a voluntary basis. However for the past 3 years she has been part of the conference team based on reception and helping to organise the booking in of some 300 plus delegates.

This year we had the pleasure to have Valerie Singleton as our Conference after dinner speaker, she talked about her life and it was captivating to say the least. The day after the dinner Valerie walked around the exhibitors hall and spoke to all the exhibitors. Tracey asked if she would mind having her photo taken with me and she agreed.

The conference was a great success and I met and chatted to many people and there was a  lot of interest shown in what DDRC Healthcare had to offer.

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Flying after Diving survey

Since 2008 DDRC Healthcare have been conducting their ongoing “Health of Divers” project which has encompassed a broad range of health issues from the use of illicit drugs to more recently, mental health.  Now in 2016 the researchers are turning their attention to “Flying after Diving”.

Since the 1980s there has been much debate about the issue of flying after diving, with workshops in 1989 and 2003.  Case reports have been discussed over the years, and recommended times to fly after diving have been debated, as well as the results of the first in-flight study of real-life dive exposures which was published last year (2015).  

Hyperbaric chambers often see and treat divers who have come back from a diving holiday and present at a chamber with possible DCI problems.  Because of this DDRC Healthcare are interested in finding out a little more about divers who fly home after a diving holiday – what type of diving were they doing, what was the actual surface interval between their last dive and when they flew home, did they experience any signs and symptoms of possible DCI during the flight, if so, did they seek any help, did any problems they may have experienced go away, what did they think was the probable cause, and so on.

The information the researchers at DDRC Healthcare hope to gather will be valuable in trying to understand a little more about the subject of flying after diving.  It would be great if as many divers as possible could complete the anonymous on-line questionnaire.  If you have been on a diving holiday for example and have taken a flight home; or maybe you have been diving at home and then take a flight to go on holiday.  Any “been diving and then caught a flight” scenario – DDRC healthcare would like you to participate.  

Please note: You do not have to have experienced any problems before/during/after a flight to take part; we would like to hear from all divers who have taken a flight after diving even if it was trouble free!

Please take part – and just to make it easier - it will be useful for you to have your log book handy when you do this survey – Thank you!

 Go to http://www.ddrc.org/Research/ click on the link and take part.

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Ali in the South

The British Antarctic Survey Medical Unit (BASMU) is based in the Emergency Dept of Derriford Hospital. Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust is contracted by BAS to provide a comprehensive medical service for its operation in the Antarctic and Arctic. Its administration Office is based in our Hyperbaric Medical Centre in Plymouth. BASMU is made up of four Consultants,2 Practice Nurses, between 7 and 11 deployed Doctors plus the support and backup of the entire teaching district general hospital

Every year the team employ, train and deploy doctors and staff for the BAS research stations at Rothera, Halley VI, Bird Island, King Edward Point, Signy and the two research ships James Clark Ross and Shackleton.

BASMU also screens the population deploying south, provides all medical capital and consumables alongside a 365/24hr emergency advise system.

Prospective doctors have 6 months training with the team at Plymouth before deploying to the South for 18 months.

It was with some excitement recently that Practise Nurse Alison Hunt was requested to attend as the medic at the research station King Edward Point, a long way away in South Georgia. The station is open all year round and in winter has a personnel of approximately 10. In summer this can run to over 20.

Ali’s help was required at short notice and so her long journey began:  An RAF flight from Brize Norton took her to the Ascension Islands and then another flight to the Falklands Islands where Ali spent three days. HMS Clyde then picked her up and took her on a 5 day journey to King Edward Point.

Luckily there were not many medical emergencies amongst the staff and so Ali managed to get out and about and visited Penguin River to see the King Penguins and Puppy Lake where Fur seals are born. She was also involved in a practice ‘Major Incident’ exercise. A visiting cruise liner invited the BAS staff and Ali on board where they gave a talk about their work at the station. There was also a presentation about the South Georgia Heritage Trust which has a museum at King Edward Point. The station was originally a whaling station and there is a lot of interest in its history.

Ali had a fantastic time and experienced so much: “I had the best time and would go back tomorrow! I saw so much wildlife including penguins, seals, albratross and pipits. I swam with dolphins naturally in the sea but unfortunately I didn’t see any whales. What with wonderful food and great company from start to finish, it truly was an amazing and memorable trip.”

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Dr Sally Simmons Senior Diving and Hyperbaric Physician annual visit to Georgia.

I visit Georgia annually to carry out dive medicals for one of our clients. They prefer to have HSE equivalent diving medicals because the standard is kept high and unfortunately their local doctor (who is employed by their contractor), is no longer in date as an AMED (Approved Medical Examiner of Divers). This is my third year visiting this quirky country and I always look forward to the trip. The Georgian people at Supsa are always very friendly and do their best to accommodate visitors. I don't always get a chance to see the local area and traveling by car is always an adventure. Which is something coming from a biker!

Flights to Georgia are usually via Istanbul and can be done in a day but if like me you work the whole day before leaving from Exeter, this can be somewhat tiring. At my age I need all the rest I can get, which wasn't much as it turned out.

I thought I would be clever and on the recommendation of several offshore medics who have attended a course recently, purchased a Priority Pass for airport lounges wherever I go. I thought that a bit of peace amid the toil and strife (bit of Desiderata there for those the same age as me), wouldn't go amiss. Got off to a good start in T2 at Heathrow, but the lounge in Istanbul was more a kindergarten than a haven of peace. Cakes were nice though.

Arrived in Batumi late, and having been up for over 36 hours I apologised to the lovely George my driver and tried to fall asleep. Driving in Georgia is not for the faint-hearted. Usually cows roam the roadsides but as it was evening and they had all very sensibly gone home to bed, leaving the taxi drivers and artic lorry drivers to the roads. There is a faint white line on the roads here but it serves no useful purpose except to ensure drivers in each direction drive the wrong side of it. This can be quite disconcerting for the newcomer and is a good reason why I haven't seen a single motorcyclist!

Anyway we arrived safe and sound and after a full Health & safety brief I retired to my room and a hot shower. 

Medicals started on time the next morning where I met the client's administration lady again, Sophio, who is the epitome of efficiency. As with the divers who are all local, she lives in a small town just north of the camp.

There have been a few changes since I was here last May: the buoy maintenance supervisor has moved onto pastures new and his work taken over by the senior diver, now supervisor. It was good to see the divers again. One of them has since been to the Professional Dive Centre in Durban to do his course and saw a good friend of mine out there for his last medical, Dr Imran Khalil. Small world. I did my DMAC Level 2 Refresher course out there in 2014.

There were a couple of issues with the medicals but you can get blood tests, an echocardiogram, ECG and urine lab test all on the same day. The cholesterol was done a day later with fasting sugars. All normal so signed off. One happy diver.

The rain finally stopped on my final afternoon so I went for a walk down to the shore of the Black Sea. There is massive pollution here, mainly with plastic drinks bottles being washed up or discarded. The Black Sea is one of the most polluted waterways in the world although I was reliably informed it has a complete water change every 24 years. I am not entirely sure how this happens as the only entrance is via the Bosphorus and the rivers draining into it are also pretty foul.

I have been asked by one of the local camp doctors about our AMED Level 1 course so he can do the medicals for the divers. I hope to see him on our course in September. The only problem is I will see myself out of the chance to visit this interesting country again if he does come over, so maybe we won't have any spaces left!!!!!

If you get a chance to visit Georgia, grab it as apart from the capital Tbilisi and Batumi the tourist resort on the Black Sea, it is unspoilt by the masses. As I flew into Batumi the mountains surrounding the city were still iced in snow and the interior looks interesting. Georgia is developing slowly but requires investment for exporting its' produce. It retains an old fashioned courtesy and quirkiness which I really do enjoy. Much like the wine.

Dr Sally Simmons, Senior Diving & Hyperbaric Physician, DDRC Healthcare & DDRC Professional Services. 

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Training facilities in Plymouth

DDRC Professional Services, our trading subsidiary, offers training to the Maritime, Diving & Offshore industries and have a range of courses including Diver Medic Technician (DMT) full course and refresher, MCA / STCW courses and HSE Offshore Medic. 

More information can be found at http://www.ddrc.org/Training/. 

We have highly skilled and experienced trainers many of whom come from a military, commercial diving, police diver background. Our facilities are excellent and we have free on site parking. 

We are approximately 5 miles from Plymouth City Centre which boasts a fantastic waterfront, The Hoe and historic Barbican. There is an array of hotels, guest houses and restaurants and a visit to the Royal William Yard for a drink or a bite to eat is a must!!

If you would like more information please call 01752 237137 or email [email protected] or go to our 24hr online booking system at https://ddrc.arlo.co/uk/

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Transat Bakerly 2016

DDRC Healthcare was very lucky to be invited to exhibit at this year’s Transat Bakerly, the oldest single handed transatlantic race in history,  which goes from Plymouth England to New York. 

We are based in this beautiful maritime city and work with the maritime and offshore industry in supporting their medical and first aid training needs. Therefore it was apt that we were there to promote our Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) accredited courses and to make people aware of our hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) treatments, training courses, research programmes and specialist wound care service.

It was fantastic to be involved in the atmosphere of the Transat Bakerly race with skippers and their crews from predominantly France, but with a couple of UK entries, using the facilities of the stunning Plymouth Waterfront. Our stand was next to staff from Plymouth’s National Marine Aquarium and nearby were representatives from the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust which is a charity partner of the Transat Bakerly race.

We wish all the sailors a safe crossing to New York. The weather may not have been the best to send them off  but I am sure they will always remember the reception and warmth they received from the people of this beautiful and historic waterfront City.

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Plymouth Half Marathon

We are absolutely delighted that three of our Diving & Hyperbaric Physicians successfully completed the Plymouth Half Marathon on Sunday 17th April. Dr’s Ollie Cooper, Jo Duthie and Sophie Howell took up the challenge to raise money for us which can still be contributed to at https://www.justgiving.com/hyperbaricdocs

left to right Sophie, Ollie & Jo

The half marathon starts from Plymouth’s historic Hoe and is a beautiful setting for this event. Sophie, Ollie and Jo are regular runners for fitness but this was a bit more daunting for them. Jo said: “ I have done a couple of half marathons before and a full marathon but I always get really nervous before I set off. I loved running this one in Plymouth, although it is very tempting to just stop and have an ice-cream instead!”

All three doctors got to know DDRC Healthcare really well as Ollie and Sophie have held junior doctor roles with us in the past and are now part of our on call team, carry out diving medicals and man the 24hr diving advice line ([phone]. Jo has joined us our current junior doctor and is getting on really well. Junior doctors come to us for 6 months and really get to know about the variety of treatments that Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy can be used for. 

Sophie said: “We are lucky enough to have time to spend with our patients and really get to know them. Some routine patients can be here every day for up to 8 weeks which is a huge commitment but they make great friends during their time here.”

Our Hyperbaric Medical Centre is classified as a category 1 provision which means that we have 24hr on call chamber staff and doctors providing round the clock emergency cover for Decompression Illness (DCI) - also known as the ‘bends’ - gas embolism or Carbon Monoxide poisoning.

Ollie said: “ It was a great run in beautiful sunshine with almost 5000 other runners. What more could you want.”