Plea for more oxygen therapy volunteers in Wick amid rising demand from long Covid sufferers
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An urgent plea has gone out for more volunteers to help at Wick's oxygen therapy centre after a surge in demand among long Covid sufferers from across the north.
Eight people struggling with the long-term effects of coronavirus are now benefiting from the Healing Hub barochamber – four from Caithness, two from Tain, one from Nairn and one from Drumnadrochit.
Enquiries took off after a John O'Groat Journal article two weeks ago revealing how two users with long Covid had reported improvements in their energy levels and breathing, as well as reduced pain, since they started oxygen therapy sessions in the facility run by MS Therapy Centre Wick.
“There was a tremendous response,” said Jan Farrington, the group's treasurer and secretary. “I couldn’t believe the reaction and the positivity we got from people.
“One lady was on the phone to me and her actual words were, ‘My daughter is at the end of her tether. She has gone to the doctor, she’s got long Covid, and they’ve said there is nothing they can do – it’s just a matter of waiting.’
“She said she would try anything and she had read this [article] and said, ‘Mother, book me in.’
“The lassie has been and she said what a difference it has made. She’s got her energy, she is sleeping and her ‘brain fog’ has gone.
“Covid affects your lungs and it reduces the amount of oxygen that’s in your blood. So if you can pack your blood with oxygen and fill your lungs it has got to help.”
Mrs Farrington added, however: “We are desperate for volunteers to operate the chamber."
Oxygen therapy can help people with a range of health issues, from multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis to sports injuries. There are now 21 regular users of the Healing Hub.
People living nearer to Inverness have been turning to the centre at Wick's Braehead as the Oxygen Works base in the Highland capital is currently closed because of flood damage.
Users with long Covid are finding that the sessions help in a number of ways, according to Mrs Farrington.
“They say that their ‘brain fog’ has gone, or is much better, they are sleeping better, they are less tired and they’ve got much more energy than they had," she said. "Those are the main things with long Covid.
“But people must give it time. Do not expect a miracle cure because it won’t work that way.”
The group's chairperson Chrissie Gunn said: “We are so delighted that people are starting to use it – but, because there are so many coming, we need volunteers to operate the chamber.
“We’ve had a lot of enquiries now from people with ME, where the symptoms are so similar to long Covid. We’ve had three this week with ME enquiring about it.
“We’re working at nights as well now – there are folk that can’t come through the day, so we’re doing night runs and weekend runs as well to fit in with people’s work.”
Mrs Farrington said: “Anybody can get in touch. As Chrissie says, we’ll do nights, we’ll do weekends, if it helps people.
“We’re doing our best to keep everything going but we are desperate for operators.
“If people are coming, it would be helpful if they brought a friend or somebody with them and that friend then could, if they wished, learn. If that person learns to be an operator, you can then come when it suits you if your name is in the book.”
Alan Mowat, one of three volunteer chamber operators, explained that training will be given and emphasised that it is a straightforward process.
“On the training side it is pretty simple," he said. "It’s not too technical – you don’t need to be Brain of Britain to do it.”
A £15 donation is requested for each session, lasting up to an hour and a half, to cover the expense of the oxygen and to go towards insurance costs and the upkeep of the building. “I don’t think that’s extortionate,” Mrs Farrington said, "and they get a biscuit and a cup of coffee."
Mrs Farrington would like to see other community organisations using the centre for their own activities: “Once Covid is away it’s available for small group meetings.”
The building – formerly the Old Men’s Rest – was acquired by the group after it negotiated an asset transfer with Highland Council. A £76,000 refurbishment has been carried out, with improvements including the addition of a small parking area to the rear.
The interior is comfortable and welcoming, giving views across Wick harbour and bay, and there is room for social distancing. It is hoped there will be an official opening when circumstances allow.
The barochamber is adjusted to go to different "depths". People can spend the time reading, knitting or doing paperwork while sitting in the chamber breathing in the oxygen.
Mrs Farrington said one surprising aspect of the recent increase in enquiries was that some callers had been unaware the chamber was available.
“People said ‘we didn’t know it was there’," she explained. "That really hit me more than anything.
"It has existed for 40 years. It was 1996 it came in here. Prior to that it was in Riverside care home and prior to that it was in Grant Street.
“If people have got asthma, if they’ve got COPD [chronic obstructive pulmonary disease], for goodness sake use the facility – it’s going to help you.”
She added: “One youngish lady was absolutely terrified the first time she went in. Chrissie said they took her down very, very slowly, and when she came out she said, ‘Right, can I go back again?’ She said she had never felt so peaceful, so safe, so tranquil – she said it’s just so cathartic in there.
“The lassie just couldn’t believe it. She said ‘I feel so rested’.”
Anyone wishing to find out more can text or call treasurer/secretary Jan Farrington on 07775 683300 or call Chrissie Gunn on 01955 606726. The centre’s phone number is 01955 604586.
Related stories:
- Long Covid sufferers benefiting from oxygen therapy at Wick's Healing Hub
- Healing centre will become a hub for the community
