Intensive Care Services (ICU)

Our doors are open 24 hours a day to family and friends. Frequent visits are often very helpful for our patients, but it is also important for visitors to look after their own health, spend time away from hospital and get plenty of rest. In most circumstances visitors will be limited to 2 persons at a time at the bedside. This is to help ongoing patient care and rapid access to the patient in cases of emergency. Patients in intensive care receive care according to their needs 24 hours a day. There is a dedicated waiting area in each of the three sites where visitors can meet and spend time until a patient is ready for visitors.

Consultants lead a formal multidisciplinary ward round twice daily. This is usually between 9:00am and 4:00pm. Visitors may be asked to take an active role in the ward round, or invited to a separate meeting where ideas can be shared. We find that frequent face-to-face conversations between the healthcare team and the patient and their families are very valuable. Each intensive care unit has a dedicated private meeting room for family discussions. The the default arrangement is for family meetings to include the patient and be held at the bedside.

For your protection as well as that of the staff and patients, please observe the following to help prevent the speed of infection:

• Wash your hands on entering and leaving the unit. Antibacterial hand foam is available in multiple locations.
• Speak to the the patient’s designated nurse to find out if further precautions, such as a gown and gloves are required.
• Inform ICU staff if you or any family member has experienced recent symptoms of a cold, influenza or gastroenteritis