Critical Care
We appreciate that this is a very stressful time and that the information you are given can be overwhelming, or often forgotten at such anxious times. All of our staff are at hand to guide you through the experience, offering support and guidance as necessary.
We appreciate that many people play a significant role in our patients' lives, whether they are relatives, spouses, long term partners or very close friends. This site is aimed for all of these people. The term 'relative' is often used throughout this site to simplify text rather than exclude all of the other important individuals.
What is Critical Care?
The term Critical Care Unit is the same as the combination of names like Intensive Therapy Unit (ITU), Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and High Dependency Unit (HDU). Critical Care is concerned with the treatment of patients with, at risk of, or recovering from potentially life-threatening failure of one or more of the body’s organ systems. We provide support for
- kidneys (similar to dialysis),
- breathing (invasive and non invasive ventilation),
- heart/cardiovascular system,
- investigation, diagnosis, and treatment of acute illness,
- patient safety,
- ethical decision making
- end-of-life care,
- early rehabilitation services
- support of families and patients.
The Critical Care service in a hospital can both pick up deteriorating patients on the ward and support patients in the aftermath of critical illness.
Our unit aims to be provide compassionate and personalised care to both patients and their families. We strive to provide a personalised service for our patients and their relatives.