Has this therapy been available in Shetland previously?

The first usage of a Hyperbaric Chamber in Shetland was in 1984, when a group of volunteers set up the Shetland Friends of ARMS (Association for Research into Multiple Sclerosis), in order to provide oxygen therapy to MS sufferers.  The group continued for many years, but by the end of the 1990s, usage had declined to the extent that the chamber had to close.

A couple of attempts were made to reopen it over the next 20 years or so, including one about 2019, but without lasting success. 

What is happening now?

The most recent attempt , initially spearheaded by Jill Blackadder and Amanda Pottinger, resulted in the formation of the Shetland Hyperbaric Centre (SHC) in October 2025, with Alan Ockendon as Chairman and Amanda as Vice-chairman.   

It was registered as a Scottish charity (SCIO, reg. no. SC055049)  in March 2026, and is entirely  run by volunteers.  The chamber is housed in a small, purpose-built building at Gremista, belonging to the Lerwick Port Authority, who very kindly lease it to us for £1 per annum.

How can this therapy help?

Although recognised by many to be helpful in alleviating MS symptoms, it has become more widely known in recent years as also being beneficial to conditions such as Long Covid, ME, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, auto-immune and neurological conditions, diabetes, post-stroke symptoms, wound healing and sports injuries, to name but a few.  

Why have it in Shetland?

Several Shetland residents have spent much time and money in travelling to the UK mainland, where they have been able to access HBOT in places like Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Stirling and Rugby, and have found their health amazingly improved as a result.   

However, being able to access the therapy without having to leave the isles would mean hundreds more people could benefit, with the added advantage of returning to their own beds that same day.   With this in mind, the SHC embarked on a programme of fundraising and renovation.  

What was needed to get everything ready?

The existing Barochamber building needed a great deal of refurbishment, involving the donning of boilersuits and wielding of tools and paintbrushes, while much fundraising went on simultaneously.   The Chamber itself wasn’t in quite such a poor state, although it too needed money spent on it.  

The equipment necessary for the supply of oxygen to the chamber was over 40 years old -some of it was still usable, but replacements needed to be found, at some cost.  

We also needed to train volunteers to operate the chamber- this is about to start.

What is the current status?

So where does that place us at the moment – August 2026?  As shown on our “What we Offer “   page, we have begun to offer therapy by means of portable 10-litre oxygen concentrators.  This does not provide the same level of oxygen as that found inside the pressurised chamber, but can still be beneficial.  

As we hone in on the final requirements for operation of the chamber, and complete training of our operators, we hope to soon be able to announce that we will be fully “open for business”, and offering affordable oxygen therapy to the people of Shetland !