Recovery after critical care
Most people move from Critical Care to a ward as they recover. This means you need fewer close checks and is a normal, safe step in recovery.
You might feel nervous about the change - please tell the team if you’re worried. Visiting times and routines on the ward may be different from Critical Care, so ask the staff what to expect and when you can visit.
On the ward, each nurse cares for more people than in critical care. This is normal and safe. You will start to do more for yourself. This change helps your recovery
This team has nurses and doctors from critical care. The team checks on people after they leave critical care. The team advises the ward staff. The team can see patients if needed. If you have questions, please ask the ward team. They can contact the team for advice
When someone moves to a ward, families may get fewer updates. This often means the person is better. If you would like an update, please speak to the ward team. Visiting times vary. Please ask the ward team or check the ward page.
If you are worried about the person in the hospital, tell the ward team.
You can also use Martha’s Rule to ask for an urgent clinical review.
Most people move to a ward before going home. A few people go straight home if they get better quickly. Many people feel happy to go home, but some feel anxious. This is normal. Support is available
Our therapy teams are here to help you get stronger, keep your balance, and breathe more easily. They also support you in managing everyday tasks at home.
While you’re in the hospital, the team will help you practise simple tasks. They can provide useful items for your home, such as a shower chair or rails. If needed, they can arrange therapy at home and extra support from carers.
Critical Care follow-up
A follow-up pathway is available to patients who have been in critical care for three days or more. We will contact you to review your recovery by telephone, MyCare (the UCLH digital patient portal) or by post.
We usually get in touch four to six weeks after you leave hospital. This first review is carried out by an experienced critical care nurse who specialises in follow-up. We talk with you about your recovery and check your physical and emotional wellbeing. This helps us understand what support may help you.
After this review, we may invite you to our multidisciplinary critical care follow-up clinic. This clinic gives you more time to talk through your recovery and get extra support if needed.
Our critical care follow-up clinic team consists of:
- a clinical nurse specialist
- a psychologist
- a physiotherapist and/or occupational therapist
- a critical care doctor
Our critical care doctor will:
- check whether any medicines that were started, changed or stopped in critical care are still right for you
- review your physical health
- arrange tests or refer you to other teams if needed
- check that any follow-up appointments have been booked
- answer questions about your illness, treatment and recovery
If you were in critical care at UCLH for three days or more and have not been contacted by our team two months after your discharge and would like a call, please do contact us on:
uclh.
Similarly, if you were in critical care for less than three days but would appreciate a follow-up call from us, please do not hesitate to contact us.
At the critical care follow-up clinic appointment, you will be able to:
- ask us any questions about your critical care stay
- tell us about any physical problems you are experiencing
- talk about the emotional impact of your critical care admission
- get advice on managing ongoing physical or emotional symptoms
- review your medicines to make sure your treatment plan is up to date
- be referred or signposted to other teams or services if needed (for example, outpatient psychology or community therapy)
- check the status of any UCLH appointments
- share feedback about your critical care and hospital experience
The follow-up clinic appointment can be facilitated via video, telephone or in person, dependent on clinical need or personal preference
Many people experience a group of symptoms known as post-intensive care syndrome (PICS). These can include:
- difficulty concentrating
- feeling sad, low or anxious
- muscle weakness
- tiredness
- reduced mobility
- shortness of breath
- poor sleep
Although many of these symptoms are common after a critical care admission and will improve over time, sometimes you might need further investigations/support with these symptoms. This is where the critical care follow-up clinic can help.
In addition to PICS, it is recognised that the family and loved ones, who provide care and support, can also develop some of the same emotional symptoms of PICS. This condition is known as PICS-family (PICS-F). If this is an issue, we may be able to signpost family members/loved ones for support with this
Online drop-in group
We also run an online monthly drop-in peer support group. The critical care peer support group (CCPS) is an informal, friendly group for people who were admitted to critical care at UCLH. At the sessions, members share their own experience of critical care and hear other members’ stories of recovery and experiences.
Joining a peer support group can help to increase social connection, help make sense of events, normalise people’s experiences, reduce distress, empower, and help share skills and support. The meetings usually last for around 60-90 minutes.
Evidence shows that getting support from people increases resilience, well-being, and reduces feelings of isolation.
To find out more about the group, please email uclh.
Outpatient critical care psychology
In addition to the above, we also offer an outpatient psychology service for patients who have had a critical care admission. We support people struggling emotionally following their admission, particularly those who are experiencing post-traumatic stress symptoms (such as flashbacks and nightmares) related to their admission. Please let a member of the team know if you think you would benefit from a referral to this service
Read more about recovery after critical care at ICUsteps, the Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine, and the Critical Care Recovery website.
Clinic enquiries
Ward administrator hours: 09:00 to 16:00
Grafton Way Building Critical Care Unit: 020 3456 8105
T03 Critical Care: 020 3447 0300Hospital switchboard: 020 3456 7890
Email: uclh.