The Alfred Hyperbaric Service

The Alfred Hyperbaric Service is Victoria\'s designated State centre for hyperbaric medicine. We currently provide in excess of 4000 hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO) treatments each year. We have one of the world\'s most advanced facilities - three walk-in, rectangular hyperbaric rooms located adjacent to the helipad and intensive care unit at The Alfred Hospital and overlooking Fawner Park.

HBO involves the breathing of 100% oxygen whilst pressurised in a hyperbaric room or chamber. HBO is used to treat divers suffering decompression illness. It is also used for a range of emergency, acute and chronic conditions such as diving related illness, certain types of gangrene and rapidly spreading infections, non healing ulcers, chronic bone infection and for prophylaxis and treatment of radionecrosis (an occasional side effect of radiotherapy for cancer.) For information as to whether HBO may be applicable in any particular case, patients should ask their own doctor who may contact the staff of the Alfred Hyperbaric Service for advice.