Critical care services

Our two critical care departments, high dependency unit (HDU) and intensive therapy unit (ITU) treat patients who are in need of more specialised observation and treatment than can be provided in an ordinary ward. The most seriously ill patients are called intensive care patients and those who are less acutely ill are called high dependency patients.

The ITU/HDU in Wycombe Hospital has facilities to care for five critically ill patients whilst the ITU/HDU in Stoke Mandeville Hospital has facilities for twelve patients. Both intensive care and high dependency patients are treated together in these units. The units have modern equipment and a high staff to patient ratio.

Patients are cared for by a multi-disciplinary team which includes doctors, nurses, physiotherapists and other health care professionals. At all times a consultant anaesthetist and specialist ward consultant are responsible for the patients’ medical treatment. In addition, experienced medical staff are always present on the unit. The nursing teams are led by a matron and the nursing staff have received post-registration specialist training in the care of the seriously ill.

Each unit has a waiting room equipped with tea and coffee making facilities for visitors, but there is no over night accommodation available.

We're here not only to provide specialist care to the patient but also to support and comfort families. We understand that this is a difficult and worrying time for patients and their relatives and friends. We can also arrange pastoral care for people of any faith.

The patients

Patients are admitted from accident and emergency, the operating theatre, wards and other hospitals. Admission to the units might be planned, as part of a care-pathway following major surgery for example, or most often, patients are admitted unexpectedly as an emergency. Stoke Mandeville HDU/ITU also treats patients who have suffered spinal cord and/or other traumatic injuries.

Associated services

Wycombe HDU/ITU provides an outreach nursing service and also a follow-up clinic. In addition to working in the unit some of the senior nursing staff work as outreach nurses. This means that these nurses are available to visit ward patients who are at risk of their condition deteriorating. The outreach nurse also visits unit patients following their discharge from the unit to the ward.

After their discharge home, patients are invited to attend a follow-up clinic where they're assessed by a nurse and consultant to ensure their recovery is going well.