About Us

Global Medical Specialists You Can Trust

DDRC Healthcare is a not-for-profit organisation and a registered UK charity (no. 279652) based on Plymouth Science Park in Plymouth. We are worldwide specialists in diving medicine, hyperbaric oxygen therapy and medical training and have an enviable range of highly specialised staff, facilities and knowledge.

DDRC delivers 24/7 diving and hyperbaric medical emergency services, diver health research and education activities, we host the British Hyperbaric Association helpline, produce diver safety materials, presentations, courses and events and fund medical equipment to support diver treatment plans.

Whilst we are best known for treating divers with Decompression Illness (DCI) or ‘the bends’ divers only account for around one third of their patients, as we also use Hyperbaric Oxygen (HBO) therapy to treat an an array of other conditions where it has been internationally agreed that the use of HBO is effective.

The whole organisation employs approximately 60 staff as regular employees and contracted bank staff. Our turnover is in the region of £2 million per year.

DDRC Healthcare has two trading subsidiaries: (Any profit goes back into the charity.)

DDRC Professional Services Ltd. delivers medical training, primarily for divers, offshore workers and seafarers.

DDRC Medical Services Ltd. delivers medical examinations.

We are registered with the Care Quality Commission and work closely with the NHS and emergency services.

DDRC Healthcare values its staff and is Real Living Wage compliant.

Charitable objectives: The advancement of education and the relief of sickness by:

I.The conduct of scientific and medical research into:

i) The effect upon the human body of exposure to altered pressure and/or gas environment

ii) Underwater diving safety

II.The prevention and treatment of medical conditions arising from exposure or an altered pressure and/or gas environment

III.The altered pressure and/or gas environment treatment of illness, disability or injury

IV.The provision of training in altered pressure and/or gas environment treatment, procedures and care environments

V.The education of the public about the effects upon the human body of exposure to altered pressure and/or gas environments

In these charitable objects ‘altered pressure and/or gas environment’ means any environment in which the pressure differs from that at sea level, and/or the constituent gases differ in nature or proportion to those present in air.

Organisational Values: Put patients first: Listen, learn, improve,Respect others: Be positive:Take ownership

Mission Statement: DDRC Healthcare aims to develop as a Centre of Excellence in Europe for Baromedical Research, Education and Treatment, while promoting, providing and increasing the availability of high quality cost-effective hyperbaric oxygen therapies.