General intensive care unit

Our general intensive care unit (ICU) looks after people who are seriously ill, treating around 2500 patients every year. We normally take patients who have just had major or specialised surgery, or people who have come into hospital in an emergency with respiratory failure, major trauma, sepsis or post cardiac arrest.

In September 2020 we opened a new £22m state-of-the-art unit, providing 22 more beds to join our existing ICU. Read more about what the new facility means for us and our patients.

Excellent outcomes

We're proud to deliver some of the best results in the country for intensive care. Our unit is monitored by the Intensive Care National Audit and Research Committee, which keeps a record of every patient who passes through intensive care, and what happens to them. Southampton regularly appears in the top five units in the country, looking at mortality rates, time spent in intensive care and what happens to patients after they leave.

Our team

On the unit, you'll have one-to-one or one-to-two care from a nurse. We have a large team to care for you including physiotherapists, dietitians, consultants, nurses and administrative staff. We also work closely with specialist colleagues in cardiac care, neurology and thoracics to make sure you receive the most appropriate care.

We aim to get you well and stable enough to move to a less intensive care environment, such as a high dependency unit or a hospital ward.

Patient information

Please read our 'welcome to the general intensive care unit' leaflet, providing information for family and friends.

Research

Our staff are also at the forefront of national and international research into the development of critical care, and regularly involved in research projects and trials.

Training

We have an excellent training programme for our staff, including continuing education in changing techniques and new healthcare developments.

Our Trust has been granted official recognition by the Intercollegiate Board for Training in Intensive Care Medicine, and our consultants and trainers are involved in educating medical colleagues from other hospitals across the region.