Your stay in the Critical Care Unit

If you are being cared for in the Critical Care Unit, it's because you need close monitoring and specialist support. 

This may be due to a serious illness or infection, during recovery after major surgery, or because one or more of your vital organs need support.

Everyone's situation is different, and your care will always be tailored to your individual needs. The team will review your condition regularly and adjust your treatment as you recover.

The Critical Care Unit may look and sound unfamiliar at first. You will see monitors displaying your heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure, as well as equipment that may support your breathing or other body functions. You may also have tubes or lines to give medications, fluids, or nutrition.

Although this can feel unsettling, all of this equipment is there to support your recovery and is closely monitored by trained staff at all times.

Staff on the unit

Our units are staffed by experienced doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals who provide specialist care 24 hours a day. Each member of the team plays an important part in supporting our patients, working collaboratively across units to make sure you receive safe, consistent, high-quality care and support.

You can familiarise yourself with some of the team members you may expect to see on the ward via our who's who on the wards page.

During your time on the unit, you may see team members from a range of specialties, including consultants, doctors, nurses, staff nurses, healthcare assistants, and allied health professionals (AHPs), as well as pharmacists, dietitians, a range of therapy professionals, ward clerks, housekeeping and domestic staff, porters, and people from other non-clinical teams.

You will receive round-the-clock care from a specialised team of nurses, doctors, and other healthcare professionals. A nurse will be nearby at all times, closely monitoring your condition and providing your day-to-day care. 

Your progress will be reviewed regularly, and your treatment will change as you begin to improve. If you feel uncomfortable, in pain, anxious, or confused, please let a member of staff know. They are there to help you.

Rest, comfort, and sedation

You may need medication to help you rest, stay comfortable, or tolerate certain treatments. Some patients require sedation for a period of time. 

It is very common to feel sleepy, confused, or to have unclear or patchy memories of your time in the Critical Care Unit. This can be unsettling, but it does not mean you are getting worse. Your comfort and pain relief are always a priority. 

Eating and nutrition

Good nutrition plays an important role in your recovery. At first, you may not be able to eat or drink normally. In this case, nutrition can be provided through a feeding tube or through a drip. 

Your nutrition will be carefully monitored and reviewed, and as you recover, the team will support you in returning to eating and drinking safely.

Emotional support

Being seriously unwell can affect how you feel emotionally as well as physically. It is common to experience anxiety, low mood, confusion, or distressing memories. 

Support is available, so please let staff know if you are feeling worried or need extra help.

Recovery and moving forward

Recovery from critical illness can take time, and progress can vary from day to day. When you no longer need intensive monitoring, you may be moved to another ward. 

Some patients will need additional rehabilitation after leaving the Critical Care Unit. The team will support you through each stage of your recovery.

You can find out more about this on the after your ICU stay page.

You may notice there are a lot of computers in use throughout the unit. We use a system called MetaVision to record and monitor your care.

MetaVision brings together important information such as observations, test results, medicines and treatments in one secure place. This gives the clinical team an up-to-date picture of your condition, helping them make informed decisions, reduce the risk of errors and provide safe, high-quality care.

We understand how important your family and loved ones are. Visiting arrangements may vary, and staff will explain these to you and advise on the best times to visit. 

Your family are encouraged to ask questions and share any concerns. Occasionally, visiting may need to be limited to support your care or recovery; however, we will always discuss this with you and your family. 

More information about visiting is available on the visiting page.

To help keep communication clear and consistent, we usually ask families to nominate one main contact. This person will receive regular updates from the clinical team and can share information with other family members and friends. We are always happy to explain your care in a clear and easy-to-understand way.

If you are able, you will be involved in decisions about your care.

To make sure we only share information with the people you want us to, we will ask for the name and contact details of your chosen next of kin or emergency contact. If you are unable to tell us who you would like us to share information with, we may ask your family to agree on a password. This helps us make sure personal information is only shared with the right people.

Your dignity, privacy, and safety are very important to us. Wherever possible, staff will explain your care and any procedures before they take place. 

Strict infection-prevention measures are in place, and access to the unit is controlled to help keep you safe.