Probe after Vic oxygen therapy death

Authorities are investigating after a man died while using a hyperbaric chamber at a clinic run by a deregistered Melbourne chiropractor.

The man died while using one of the oxygen therapy chambers at South Yarra clinic Hypermed, run by Malcolm Hooper.

Health Minister Jill Hennessy says the clinic came to her attention after WorkSafe Victoria and the coroner began investigating.

She's concerned Hypermed has been making unfounded claims, including that its therapy could cure cancer, HIV and cerebral palsy.

"There is no scientific evidence that supports that," Ms Hennessy told reporters on Saturday.

"If something sounds too good to be true, it usually is."

Ms Hennessy has referred the matter to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, and has asked WorkSafe and the chief health officer to issue a safety warning.

The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) cancelled Mr Hooper's chiropractor registration in 2013.

The watchdog found Mr Hooper made misleading claims about hyperbaric oxygenation therapy, including that it could treat cerebral palsy in adults.

One patient with cerebral palsy was charged almost $45,000 for treatment over a 10-month period, AHPRA said at the time.

Mr Hooper says the man who died in the chamber had suffered a sudden heart attack while asleep, and had a long history of health issues.

"There have been no aspersions cast at us or the service we have provided," Mr Hooper told the Herald Sun.

"I immediately provided CPR and was doing so for 10 minutes before the ambulance came ... he was fortunate to at least survive another five or six days."

The Hypermed website spruiks its association with tennis champion Novak Djokovic, who was treated at the clinic during the Australian Open.