Intensive Care Unit
Torbay Hospital
Lowes Bridge
Torquay TQ2 7AA
Tel: 01803 655555/6
Visiting hours: Open visiting
Services
The Intensive Care Unit offers intensive and high dependency care.
It admits approximately 750 patients per year with all forms of serious medical and surgical conditions, including major trauma and post-operative cases requiring intensive care management.
Whilst on the Unit, patients are managed by the Intensive Care Consultants. The purpose of the Unit is to provide facilities for diagnosis, prevention and treatment of multiple organ dysfunction. These facilities include advanced forms of respiratory support, cardiac support and haemofiltration for renal failure.
The Outreach Team provides support and education to the general wards.
Follow up clinics are held every month for patients who have been in the Intensive Care Unit for more than four days. The clinic is run by a multidisciplinary team including medical, nursing and a clinical psychologist.
Education is available for staff both on and outside the unit, the emphasis is upon a multi-professional approach.
The Intensive Care follow up clinic offers post discharge support for patients.
Additional links
- Intensive Care Society
- iCU information leaflets for patients and relatives
- Additional information leaflets for patients and relatives
Outreach
Our aim is to improve the care of those patients who may be passing through a critical illness.
We can intervene and assist with the care of patients becoming critically ill on the general ward. We are also available to give support to patients following discharge from the Intensive Care Unit.
We have a varied programme of Intensive Care education for doctors, nurses and allied healthcare professionals. Over 400 of the Trust’s staff have been through a nationally recognised course dealing with the recognition and treatment of the critically ill patient
We are continually evaluating our performance in all of these areas.
Education
Education in advanced skills is provided for all staff on the Intensive Care Unit at diploma or degree level through the education facilitator and in partnership with Plymouth University.
The aim is to ensure the best quality care through the implementation of evidence-based practice.
Intensive Care skills education is also provided for ward staff through the ward education facilitator.
The A.L.E.R.T. course is well established to support staff through multi-professional education and is well supported by the trust.
Follow-up
The Intensive Care Follow-up clinic provides support and guidance for those patients who have had an extended stay in the unit.
Medical, nursing and psychology support are offered for up to a year after hospital discharge where appropriate.
Clinics are generally run monthly where staff are available to offer support on-site and at times in the home environment.