In Intensive Care Unit (ICU), we care for critically ill patients who need a higher level of support than what is available in a general ward. These patients require intensive or high dependency care.
Our ICU is organized into three sections, known as “Pods,” each overseen by a senior nurse and a consultant:
Pod 1: Beds 1 to 9, including two side rooms, form the larger critical care area.
Pod 2: Beds 10 to 19, located along the corridor from the main area.
Pod 3: Beds 22 to 25, situated on the left side at the end of the corridor.
While our pods are not divided by gender, we ensure that every effort is made to maintain each patient’s privacy and dignity throughout their stay.
To provide the best possible care, we collaborate closely with several services, including the Critical Care Outreach service, Recovery after Critical Illness (RaCI) service, and the Intensive Care Bereavement service. We are also fortunate to work with one of the busiest ICU research teams in the country.
We aspire to improving together and through hearing patient and family experiences; we continue to provide a service, which is valuable and meaningful to those who use it.
Caring for patients in Intensive Care is truly a team effort. Our multidisciplinary team (MDT) includes Doctors, Nurses, Psychologists, Physiotherapists, Advanced Critical Care Practitioners (ACCP), Dieticians, Pharmacists, Technicians, Health Care Support Workers (HCSW), registered Nursing Associates, Speech and Language Therapists (SLT), the Clinical Information System team, administrative staff, and housekeeping staff. This collaborative approach ensures we provide the best care for our patients and their families. Please note that some of these team members are only available during weekday, daytime hours. If you have any questions, please speak with a member of the nursing team.
On a shift to shift basis each Pod is overseen by a Consultant and a Senior Nurse. Nursing staff working at the bedside will care for patients on a one to one or one to two basis depending on the patient’s acuity (how unwell they are) and their individual needs.
We work closely with the University of Reading and The University of West London, so you may see Nursing and Medical Students on the unit. During their placements, they work under very close supervision. Our practice educator team ensures that the entire team stays up to date with the latest education and training
Administrative team
When you visit the ICU our administration team will probably be the first people you meet at the ICU reception desk. They are always happy to help and will make every effort to ensure your needs are met. If you are visiting, they may ask you to wait whilst they liaise with the team, this is not unusual and helps us all to ensure the patients safety, dignity and privacy is maintained.
Our administrative team can be located on the ICU reception area and Pod 1 nurses station. If you have any questions or queries please do not hesitate to speak with a member of the admin team.
Consultants and Doctors
Our medical team provides highly specialised care around the clock (24 hours a day), ensuring a Doctor is always available to meet the evolving needs of our patients with the highest quality of care. The team comprises Registrars, Specialist Trainees, Foundation Doctors, and ACCPs, all under the supervision of our ICU Consultants.
The Consultant of the day conducts formal ward rounds away from the patients bedside in the morning and evening this allows them to review test results, develop treatment plans, and monitor patient progress. Additionally, the Consultant will conduct a bedside ward round with their junior team mid-morning and at night.
Every day, a Doctor will provide a full patient assessment at the bedside.
We understand that the ICU can be complex and overwhelming, and we are always happy to arrange opportunities for you to speak with the medical team to answer any questions or concerns you may have.
Physiotherapists
Our team of specialist physiotherapists offers services from Monday to Friday. During these days, they provide chest physiotherapy and passive movements when safe to do so, all while working towards comprehensive rehabilitation goals.
We encourage friends and families to participate in the rehabilitation plans. Please share any interests your relatives may have with our staff so we can incorporate them into the activities and goals.
On weekends and nights, an on-call physiotherapist is available for urgent respiratory interventions and support.
Care Support Workers
Our skilled and dedicated Healthcare Support workers (HCSWs) work closely with our Nurses, physiotherapists and medical staff. They play a vital role in providing personal care as well as clinical and technical support. Additionally, they help manage the unit stock and support the housekeepers.
Critical Care Outreach
The Critical Care Outreach service is made up of a team of senior nurses and Advanced Critical Care Practitioners (ACCP) who have extensive critical care experience. The team offers a round-the-clock service, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They work collaboratively with ward nursing and medical staff to ensure that patients care and safety is maintained. Their role is to identify, support and diagnose deteriorating patients in the general ward settings and work collaboratively with the Recovery after Critical Illness service (RaCI) to support patients and their families who are transitioning from ICU to a ward environment. They also provide Call 4 Concern which is a patient safety service that enables patients and families to call for immediate help and advice when they feel concerned that the health care team has not recognised their own or their loved one’s changing condition.
Pharmacists
Our unit has a dedicated pharmacist, who provides expertise and guidance to the medical and nursing teams on all medications used within critical care. If the patient has any known allergies or adverse reactions to medicines, please inform the pharmacists or other clinical staff.
Speech and Language Therapist
Our Speech and Language Therapists (SLTs) assist patients facing challenges with communication and swallowing, or both. After a critical care admission, patients often experience changes in their voice and swallowing abilities, especially if they were on a ventilator. The SLT team offers guidance, communication tools, and training, as well as support with dietary and swallowing assessments following critical illness.
Clinical Psychologists
The ICU can be a highly stressful environment, which may cause anxiety and confusion for patients. Families may also experience significant worry during this time too. Our clinical psychologists are available to support both patients and their families in managing challenging experiences such as delirium, health anxieties, uncertainty, end of life and bereavement. If you have not had an opportunity to meet with our psychologists while in ICU and you feel it would be helpful please do discuss this with the bedside nurses, doctors or a member of the RaCI service.
Clinical Information Systems and ICNARC
A Clinical Information System (CIS) is a digital platform that centralises and streamlines patient information for healthcare providers and is looked after by our highly trained IT team. Our CIS offers immediate access to comprehensive patient information, including detailed clinical notes, medication history, lab results, and medical images. By directly integrating data from vital signs monitors, ventilators, and other medical devices, we streamline data entry and ensure accuracy.
Committed to advancing intensive care, we are active members of the Intensive Care National Audit & Research Centre (ICNARC). Through data-driven insights and collaborative research, ICNARC is dedicated to improving patient outcomes and care processes. Our involvement in this organization allows us to contribute to the broader goal of enhancing intensive care standards.