Critical Care Scientist's (CCS) have a vital role in the smooth and safe running of the ICU. ICU has a lot of complex equipment and the CCS role is to look after the equipment, support medical staff during complex procedures and during patient transfers. The team also train staff in equipment use, monitor and replace devices when they expire or are damaged.

Good nutrition is an essential part of treating critical illness. Dieticians calculate the individual patient’s requirements, construct a nutrition care plan and monitor the patient’s ongoing nutritional needs.

Examine patients, order & interpret tests, make a diagnosis, instigate treatment, prescribe medicines and undertake clinical procedures. Patients are often under the shared care of the ‘home team’ doctors they were admitted under (e.g. surgery, oncology, cardiology etc.) and the doctors specialising in intensive care. Often doctors from three or more specialties will work closely together to care for critically ill patients.

The dedicated team of bedside nurses that provide a high staff to patient ratio is what distinguishes ICU from normal ward care. Delivering personal care, facilitating medical treatment and acting as a patient advocate -nursing staff are the core of the intensive care team.

Critical Care Pharmacists provide specialist advice on drugs and medicines. Help prevent medication errors, side effects, allergic reactions and drug interactions. Review all all patients daily and join the daily multi-disciplinary ward rounds.

Physiotherapists are involved in the assessment and treatment of breathing difficulties, physical deconditioning, neuromuscular and musculoskeletal conditions. They use techniques to clear phlegm, make breathing easier and enable physical recovery by supported activity.

Speech and language therapists have two major roles in ICU. The first is to ensure patients can communicate with staff and family. This can involve providing communication aids which can be low-tech (e.g. alphabet charts) or high-tech (e.g. iPads). The second is to assess and treat swallowing difficulties, enabling patients to eat and drink as soon as it is safe to do so.

Support nursing staff with patient care, clean & maintain vital ICU equipment, maintain safe stock levels, prepare side rooms and bed spaces, facilitate admission & discharge of our patients.

House Keepers ensure adequate stock of equipment is available at the bedside and care for the physical environment of the unit, ensuring it remains and fit for purpose. They are also arrange patient meals.

Undertake a myriad of tasks to ensure the smooth running of the unit from accessing medical records, to updating patient management systems, reporting faults, communicating with other departments, supporting families and generally keeping the place running.