Intensive Care Unit (ICU)
Chelsea and Westminster Hospital's Intensive Care Unit (ICU) provides compassionate, quality care for critically ill patients with complex needs.
We care for patients with a wide range of medical and surgical problems, including those with bariatric, gynaecological, obstetric, trauma, renal and neurological conditions. The unit incorporates our High Dependency Unit (HDU), as well as two designated burns intensive care beds.
The ICU/HDU has 11 beds for critically ill patients which can be used interchangeably depending on the needs of patients.
This care has been classified by the Department of Health into levels of care—Level 3 for ICU and Level 2 for HDU. The ICU (Level 3) provides constant observation and treatment for critically ill patients with one nurse for one patient. The patients in HDU (Level 2) require a high level of monitoring and observation. One nurse looks after two patients.
Our team
The ICU team includes a range of skilled healthcare professionals who provide expert, family-centred care for patients with complex critical care needs.
We have 65 nurses and seven consultants, who are supported by a multidisciplinary team from a wide range of departments and support services throughout the hospital.
The ICU was awarded the prestigious Charter Mark for service delivery in 1998, 2001, 2004 and 2007, which includes customer service reviews and examines how we continually seek to improve the experience of patients and their families.
Last year the Charter Mark was reviewed and changed to the Customer Service Excellence standard which assesses the performance of public services in making changes and improvements driven by customers, patients or service users in areas that are important to them. Staff on the Intensive Care Unit were successfully awarded the Customer Service Excellence Standard in March 2011.
Waiting areas and accommodation
We have a small waiting area for visitors and two rooms available for families who wish to stay overnight while their relative is in ICU.
Car Parking
Car Parking is free to relatives and visitors of patients in ICU/HDU. Please speak to a member of staff for further details.
