University Hospitals of North Midlands is a
Major Trauma Centre and Critical Care is an important part of this service. The
Critical Care department is located on Lower Ground Floor 2 of Main
Building. There are 40 critical care beds spread across five pods on the unit.
The Critical Care areas have a dedicated Senior Clinical Nurse (matron) who is
responsible for effective nursing care and infection control measures to provide
the highest quality care in a safe clean environment.
Recently there has
been a significant increase in the demand for critical care services at
University Hospitals and the Trust has expanded its facilities to include
additional specialist beds for neurosurgery.
The Critical Care areas
have approximately 170 nursing staff and dedicated consultant intensivists who
provide high quality critical care for their patients. Many of the staff have
undertaken post graduate critical care training and are supported by a practice
development sister who ensures all the staff are trained to the highest standard
and provide evidence based care.
When patients are first admitted to the
critical care units there may be a long wait before you can see them as the
nurses and doctors need to stabilise their condition and carry out any initial
procedures that are required. We understand relatives will be anxious and
waiting and will endeavour to be as quick as possible. It is normal for
relatives to feel anxious and helpless at this time. Please feel free to ask
questions of the staff, they will be happy to explain what they are doing and
will update you with your relative's progress.
We provide diaries for
all our long stay patients and encourage relatives to make comments in them. The
nurses, doctors and physiotherapists will do the same because these notes can be
very helpful for the person who has been ill to understand what has happened to
them while they have been in the critical care unit.
There may be times
when you will be asked to leave the bedside. This is because of the nature of
some of the necessary medical procedures but also out of dignity and respect for
the patient. You will also be asked to leave at handover time for
confidentiality reasons.
Patients who are critically ill often have
difficulty fighting infections and this can be very serious. The staff will do
all they can to ensure the patient is protected. You can help too by washing
your hands and using the gels before and after contact with your relative. You
should ask other visitors to do the same. An information pack and booklet is
available for patients and relatives on admission.
Royal Stoke University Hospital
Visiting times on Critical Care are different from
the rest of the hospital. Visiting is:
12:00pm - 3:00pm every day
6:00pm - 8:00pm every day
Relatives visiting patients in the Critical Care
Unit may be eligible for an exemption car parking permit for the duration of
their stay. These permits will be issued free of charge. Please ask a matron or
senior nurse on the ward to check whether you are eligible.
County Hospital
Ward Location: First Floor – near to Main entrance
Contact Information: Intensive Care 01785 230079, High Dependency 01785 230078, Critical Care 01785 257731 ext. 4573.
Security Arrangements: Access is via security doors with intercom and security cameras.
Visiting Times & Restrictions: No specific restriction times.