What is Critical Care?

Critical Care, also known as Intensive Care, is essential for individuals who are seriously ill and require comprehensive treatment and close monitoring. This level of care is crucial for patients recovering from significant medical events such as head injuries, major surgeries, heart attacks, or strokes. The NHS highlights the importance of this care setting, noting the intensive treatment and monitoring required during such critical periods.

Upon improvement, patients may transition from hospital to home, where they can continue receiving care from community healthcare teams or opt for the specialised private carers from Watershed Care Services. While our carers are not equipped to provide standalone critical care, they play a vital role within a broader healthcare team that includes GPs, community nurses, and other medical professionals, offering support through palliative care pathways or end-of-life care.

Components of Critical Care

As outlined by the NHS, critical care patients typically receive care on a ratio of “1 nurse for every 1 or 2 patients”, aided by various equipment to support vital functions like breathing, heart rate, and nutrition. While Watershed Care Services are not involved with the extensive range of hospital equipment, Carers proficient in managing non-invasive ventilation, feeding tubes, and catheters, ensuring comfort and care continuity at home, can be provided to deliver high quality care.

Patients receiving critical care are frequently sedated, allowing their bodies to rest and heal while painkillers minimise any discomfort. Witnessing a loved one in this state can be unsettling, yet it's important to remember that individuals under sedation might still perceive their surroundings. Understanding the impact of sedation and pain management on patients and their families is part of our approach. We encourage families to engage with their loved ones through familiar conversation and physical touch, fostering a comforting presence during recovery.

The Benefits of Personalised Post-Critical Care at Home

Transitioning to home care after a hospital stay offers numerous benefits, notably the emotional and physical comfort of being in a familiar environment. Watershed Care Services ensures tailored, one-to-one care that hospitals may not provide, focusing on the individual's overall wellbeing and recovery.