Spain inaugurates Europe's largest hyperbaric hospital complex at Gómez Ulla Hospital

New infrastructure expands the military hospital's therapeutic capacity and strengthens its leadership in specialized medicine

A strategic breakthrough in healthcare technology

The Central Defense Hospital 'Gómez Ulla', located in Madrid, has inaugurated this Monday the hyperbaric hospital complex with the largest capacity in Europe, in a ceremony presided over by the Minister of Defense, Margarita Robles. The new facility has two hyperbaric chambers capable of simultaneously treating 30 patients in a seated position and up to six on stretchers, which raises the daily treatment capacity from 40 to 100 sessions.

During the ceremony, the minister highlighted the pioneering nature of the center: "We are proud to see how this hospital combines cutting-edge technology with a highly qualified team committed to public health".

Coincides with the tenth anniversary of the Isolation Unit

The inauguration coincides with 10 years of operation of the High Level Isolation Unit (HLU), key in the healthcare response to high-risk infectious pathologies. This unit was instrumental during the Ebola crisis in 2014 and played a central role in the care of patients evacuated from Wuhan at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

With operating rooms, intensive care and a Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3) laboratory, the UAAN has consolidated its position as a reference in the management of health emergencies.

Oxygen therapy beyond diving

Hyperbaric therapy, which administers pure oxygen at high pressure to accelerate tissue recovery, is not only indicated in diving accidents, but also in cases of diabetic foot, radiotherapy injuries, and after high-altitude flights.

Since 2012, the Underwater and Hyperbaric Medicine Service has attended both military and civilians, providing support in exercises with divers, parachutists and activities at altitude requested by units such as the UME, Royal Guard, Civil Guard and foreign armies.

The 'Gómez Ulla' Hospital, which depends on the Ministry of Defense, remains the only public center in Madrid that offers this type of treatment, once again positioning itself at the forefront of specialized medicine in Spain.

Source: https://www.defensa.gob.es/gabinete/notasPrensa/2025/05/DGC-250527-gomez-ulla-hiperbarica.html