Our critical care units look after patients who are seriously unwell, providing high dependency or intensive care depending on the needs of the patient. We have a 6 bed Intensive Care Unit (ICU) in South Tyneside Hospital and a 16 bed Integrated Critical Care Unit (ICCU) in Sunderland Royal Hospital.
Once a patient is admitted to one of our critical care units they are cared for by a team who are specially trained to look after critically ill patients. We work with a dedicated and highly skilled team of professionals including doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, dieticians and pharmacists.
Rehabilitation after Critical Illness
Some patients need extra help with their recovery after being discharged from a critical care unit. Our ‘RaCI’ (Rehabilitation after Critical Illness) team start working with patients even before they are discharged from the critical care unit to ensure their recovery is as straightforward as possible.
Research
Research is an important part of our work, and we usually have a number of studies going on. If your family member is eligible to take part in a study but is too unwell to understand the details, we will ask for your permission for them to take part.
Critical Care Outreach Service
The Critical Care Outreach Team are our ‘eyes and ears’ around the hospital. They help to look after patients who are unwell but can be cared for on a normal ward, help to identify patients who are becoming more unwell, and make sure patients recently discharged from a critical care unit are safe to be looked after in a normal ward environment.
Education
The critical care team are very involved in the education of health professionals. We train medical and nursing students, doctors from around the hospital, pharmacists, physiotherapists and dietitians. Our Critical Care Outreach Team organise and teach on numerous courses related to the care of the critically ill.
All of our students and professionals in training work under the supervision of experienced members of the critical care team.
Contact us
- Sunderland Royal Hospital: 0191 541 0238
- South Tyneside District Hospital: 0191 404 1030
Finding us
Our intensive care services can be found at both South Tyneside District Hospital and Sunderland Royal Hospital.
Our team
Divisional Director: Helen Turnbull
Associate Divisional Director: Caroline Bell
Clinical Director: Dr Martin Millar
Clinical Co-Director: Dr Peter Hersey
Directorate Manager: Sue Askew
ICCU Manager: Julie Sheriff
