Hyperbaric medicine unit — Canterbury
The Christchurch hyperbaric medicine unit treats a range of conditions including decompression sickness, air embolism (gas bubbles in a vein or artery), radiation injury and wounds where oxygen supply has been interrupted.
Contact us
To contact the hyperbaric medicine unit, call 03 364 0045 (extension 80045)
To contact the diver emergency service, call 0800 4DES 111
Where to find us
We are located near the western lifts at:
Hyperbaric Medicine Unit
Lower Ground Floor
Parkside West
Christchurch Hospital
Services we provide
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy delivers oxygen under pressure to body tissues. It is a treatment used for a limited but diverse range of illnesses. The Christchurch hyperbaric medicine unit treats:
- radiation tissue injury (both soft tissue and bone)
- some problem wounds including diabetic ulcers
- long term bone infection (chronic osteomyelitis)
- crush injuries
- some skin grafts and flaps.
For most people receiving treatment, treatments are given daily from Monday to Friday and can last 2 to 2 and a half hours. Some emergency conditions will only need one or 2 treatments. In most cases of wound healing support, the effects are gradual, and 20 to 50 treatments may be required.
Diving emergencies
The Christchurch hyperbaric medicine unit provides a 24 hour acute service for everywhere in New Zealand south of Taupō.
Referral information
You can be referred to this service by your healthcare provider.