Adult intensive care unit (ICU)
Our adult intensive care units (ICUs) provide 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. Both ICUs incorporate a number of intensive care and high dependency beds. There are also two burns intensive care beds as part of the Burns Centre at Chelsea and Westminster.
The ICU at Chelsea has up to 20 beds and the ICU at West Middlesex has up to 12 beds for critically ill patients. These can be used interchangeably depending on the needs of patients.
Intensive care is 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.
The ICU is part of the North West London Critical Care Network. This is a network of intensive care units, NHS trusts and local healthcare commissioners which supports innovative, high-quality critical care for a population of 2 million people in London.
Critical care campaign
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 teams of ICU doctors and nurses, who are supported by a multidisciplinary team from a wide range of departments and support services throughout the hospitals.
Waiting areas and accommodation
At Chelsea we have a waiting area for visitors with access to a small kitchen for making refreshments. We also have two rooms available for families who need to stay overnight while their relative is in ICU.
At West Middlesex we have two areas where visitors can wait, one of which is a quiet room. Unfortunately we do not facilities for overnight stays at West Middlesex hospital.
Car parking
Car Parking is free to relatives and visitors of patients in ICU. Please speak to a member of staff for further details.