Intensive Care Units (ICU North and ICU South)

When intensive care is needed

Intensive care is needed if someone is seriously ill and requires intensive treatment and close monitoring, or if they're having surgery and intensive care can help them recover.  Most people in an ICU have problems with 1 or more organs. For example, they may be unable to breathe on their own.

There are many different conditions and situations that can mean someone needs intensive care, for example following a head injury or a road traffic accident or a patient might need more specialist care for a time following major surgery.

What intensive care involves

Patients on an ICU will be looked after closely by a team of ICU staff and there is usually one nurse for every 1 or 2 patients.   Patients will be connected to equipment by a number of tubes, wires and cables which are used to monitor their health and support their bodily functions until they recover.  Equipment that may be used on an ICU includes:

• A ventilator – a machine that helps with breathing; a tube is placed in the mouth, nose or through a small cut in the throat (tracheostomy).
• Monitoring equipment – used to measure important bodily functions, such as heart rate, blood pressure and the level of oxygen in the blood.
• IV lines and pumps – tubes inserted into a vein (intravenously) to provide fluids, nutrition and medication
  feeding tubes – tubes placed in the nose, through a small cut made in the tummy or into a vein if a person is unable to eat normally.
• Drains and catheters – drains are thin tubesused to remove any build-up of blood or fluid from the body; catheters are thin tubes inserted into the bladder to drain urine.
• Patients in ICU will often be on painkilling medicine and medicine that makes them drowsy (sedatives).

Visiting our ICU

An ICU can often be an overwhelming place, both for the patient and their loved ones.

It can help to know a little about what to expect.

• Visiting hours are usually very flexible, but there may be times when visiting is not advised, so it's a good idea to check before you arrive. The number of people allowed around the person's bed may be limited.
• To reduce the risk of spreading infection, you'll be asked to clean your hands when entering and leaving the unit and you may not be able to bring in certain things, such as flowers. Avoid visiting if you're ill.
• The person you're visiting may be drowsy and seem confused. They may also appear slightly swollen or have injuries like bruises or wounds. This can be upsetting to see, but staff will ensure they're as comfortable as possible.
• A series of tubes, wires and cables will be attached to the patient, which may look alarming at first. Ask staff to explain what these are if you'd like to know.
• You may hear alarms and bleeps from the equipment. These help staff monitor their patients.
• You'll usually be free to touch, comfort and talk to the person. It may help them to hear and recognise familiar voices, even if they do not appear to respond.
• You might want to tell them about your day or read them a book or newspaper.
• You can bring in things to make them more comfortable, but ask staff beforehand if there's anything you should not bring.
• The ICU staff will be on hand during your visit to answer any questions you have.

Recovery after intensive care

Once a patient no longer needs intensive care, they can be transferred to a different ward to continue their recovery before eventually going home.

Some people may leave the ICU after a few days. Others may need to stay in the ICU for months or may deteriorate there.  Some people may require ongoing support and treatment (rehabilitation) to help them recover but most people who leave the ICU will go onto make a good recovery.

Speak to any member of the ICU team if you have any questions