St John have taken the decision not to upgrade or replace its Hyperbaric Recompression Chamber and has notified the relevant departments of the States of Guernsey of its decision.

The facility was over 40 years old and required replacement or significant upgrading. It was funded over its long lifetime by public donations and there has been a decline in its use over recent years.

In taking the decision to close the chamber St John has considered that it is no longer best placed as a provider for this type of medical facility, which ideally needs to be located with a diving organisation or linked to a hospital.

As the provider of the island’s emergency ambulance service, St John will continue to respond to any diver who suffers decompression illness and will transfer them to the A&E Department at Guernsey’s General Hospital for further assessment.