Your relative will be transferred to an appropriate ward when they are well enough, usually when they are no longer reliant upon the ventilator to support their breathing.
Discharge from Critical Care to the ward is an important step forward in your relative’s recovery. You may feel anxious about your relative moving to an area where there will be less medical and nursing intervention.
You may find it helpful to speak to the nurse about your fears.
Your relative will only be transferred following a thorough review by the medical team; under no circumstances will your relative be transferred unless they are well enough.
Wards
The ward that your relative is transferred to will be dependent upon their medical needs.
These wards have different visiting hours and you must only visit during these times. This will allow your relative to receive the rehabilitation and rest periods that they require. If you have difficulty visiting within these times, please speak to the nurse in charge of the ward.
Rapid response team
When your relative is discharged from Critical Care, they will be referred to the Rapid Response Team (RRT). This means that a team of doctors and nurses who have a lot of intensive care experience will follow up your relative on the ward in order to check that they are coping well without the higher level of intensive care. This follow up will usually start the day after your relative has been discharged, and continue for as long as required.
Follow-up clinic
The aim of this clinic is gives the patient and their relatives an opportunity to discuss their stay on Critical Care, answer any questions they may have about their stay and for us to make sure their recovery is progressing appropriately.