How many of you have been back to visit ICU and did it help?

[Luckyone]

I have been back on several occasions to visit the nurses, sometimes asked to chat to patients to reassure them, I found it a great help and would recommend it, I have always been made welcome by the nurses whenever I visit the unit.

[Mystery]

I returned to Icu 1 year after discharge to look around, I only went once after invitation from Icu through a lady called Cath who is an ex Icu nurse, she invites ex patients to visit if they think it would be beneficial, it was beneficial, she had all my notes etc, showed me the machinery I experienced , ventilators etc, explained how everything worked, showed me the rooms I occupied, she went through my notes and explained what had happened to me day by day, it helped to put dreams and reality into some sort of sense, the one visit was enough, through that visit I managed to sort out where i had been, I had thought I was in lots of different places, I had been to two different hospitals but not to as many different wards as I dreamt ! It was a very useful exercise but I only needed the one visit

[Offcut]

I was asked to go back to one of the ICU units I was in for 12 days, but they did not have my notes however I did get another invite from a person doing a survey on patients in long term ICU, which I attended. The other ICU unit I was in for 20 days seemed put out when I went to give them some biscuits and chocs. Maybe to busy?

[Kulta]

I visited the second and longest stay ICU a month after discharge and was barely recognised by staff til I spoke. I thought patients looked at death's door and glad I didn't look like that.....my partner soon told me I did! I too was in many 'different places' and it looked little like I recall. I felt ok about it, almost proud. I visited the first ICU nine months from discharge, unplanned as I was nearby being a voluntary ex ICU case study for students. Again, I felt ok and made a little sense, 'there's the clock I remember not being able to read time' and the colour blue (curtains) but my partner showed me the corner he broke down in and that made me feel really sad. Still, I have recently been successful in application to volunteer on that ward (I'm a mum and police officer) - just waiting on checks and references - and hope I can bring some comfort to others now transfusions disable me from giving blood. I am fifteen months in recovery/discharge from ICU. Bless the NHS.

[ICUsteps-Peter Partner ICUsteps]

I know many patients will find the prospect of revisiting the ICU a daunting one that takes courage to do it, but I can't recall any who hasn't been glad they did afterwards. Often it's the sounds; the beeps of machines; that are the most instantly recognisable thing but being able to see the environment in an upright position, in better health and with a clearer mind can be a really helpful step in putting the experience behind you. It was sad to hear Offcut felt the staff seemed put out by their visit. I think it may well have been just a particular timing thing and of course they are always busy, but in general terms I know staff are often delighted to see former patients again.

Despite all their hard work, the last they may see of a patient they've cared for could be when they leave ICU - better than they were, but still a long way from being fully recovered. I'd like to think that being able to see someone they treated who was so very very ill being able to walk back into the unit like a regular person must be so rewarding and be something that can get them through the harder times of the job.

[Mystery]

I agree as I have said in my earlier reply it is wonderful to walk back in and see the nurses who looked after us, I too was sad to hear of the experience for offcut, the hospital I was in, derby royal have an ex nurse called Cath who contacts patients to ask if a return would help, she makes an appointment with you at a time when it is convenient for Icu, she was really very clever because she actually timed my visit when the nurses who looked after me were on duty, when I arrived they were at the door to greet me, still makes me very emotional when I think about that moment, they were so pleased to see me and I them, Cath took me around and was very careful not to let me see other patients or their visitors, she allowed over two hours for the vist, well done derby royal , you have this spot on !! The only thing I was disappointed about was that I was not able to see one of the doctors I seemed to have become attached to, he used to sit by bed and look at the pics of my dog whom I was missing so badly, he was so kind and caring, apparently doctors move on from Icu after a few months as to train in other areas

[Philsmith]

It was one if the best things I did

It helped me see how normal things are in ICU

My wife struggled more than me as it bought back different memories

But was great to see some of the nursing staff as well