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Read Aloud and Translations

Families' page

Having a loved one in Intensive Care can be an incredibly stressful and upsetting time for families and friends.It can be difficult to think straight when you feel like your whole life has been turned upside down, often without warning. 

In this section, we've provided general information and advice including:

  • how to make sure you and your family are kept up to date
  • how to look after yourself
  • taking time off work
  • managing money and legal issues.

Some patients die due to critical illness. Some advice about managing bereavement the practical processes at the hospital and coping with bereavement.

 

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Web Link: British Red Cross; Get Support at Home

The British Red Cross home care services will provide you with the support and care to help you when you return after a stay in hospital.

Web Link: Carers UK; supporting you to take a break

Carers UK; supporting you to take a break This website and videos explain what defines a break and why taking a break is so important when you are a carer.

Web Link: Childcare: help with costs

This link will take you to the Government's webpage on childcare and parenting. It offers useful advice on whether and how you can get help with finding childcare if you need to spend time at the hospital.

Web Link: ICU Diaries - family experiences of keeping a diary

This link will take you to the Healthtalkonline website and their page on the use of diaries in Intensive Care. Here, you can watch short videos and listen to voice files on other people's experiences of keeping a diary for their loved one.

Web Link: ICU Steps - information for children and families (visiting ICU)

Having a relative in ICU is hard for the whole family, including children. This weblink to ICU Steps has three resources to help. 'Visiting the Intensive Care Unit' is an activity book for children who are visiting a relative in an intensive care unit (ICU).

Document: Intensive Care - A guide for patients and families

This is a booklet written by ICUSteps, which is a charity developed by former Intensive Care patients, family members and healthcare staff. It was written by patients and families for patients and families and is very easy to read.

Web Link: Intensive Care: ICU Steps guide for patients and relatives

This is a trusted website that provides a useful guide for families and patients on the ICU

Article: Keeping up to date

Who can I ask about my loved one's condition? The nurse who is looking after your family member will have a very clear understanding of your loved one's condition. She/he will be able to explain things to you in easily understandable language and will be happy to answer any questions you might have. We do understand that visiting a loved one in Intensive Care can be very upsetting and that it can sometimes be difficult to remember what you've been told.Please...

Article: Looking after yourself

Having a loved one in Intensive Care can be emotionally and physically exhausting. It can be all too easy to forget to take care of yourself. Try to remember, though, that you will need all your strength to help look after your loved one when he/she gets out of hospital. Try to keep to as normal a routine as you can It's completely understandable to feel that you want to "be there", to stay as close to your loved one as possible, either at their bedside, in the...

Web Link: Managing someone else's affairs (Citizens Advice)

When someone is ill in Intensive Care, they may need someone to help with or take over their affairs, including making decisions around their health, legal and financial welfare.This link will take you to the Citizens Advice website. It provides simple, easily understandable information about different ways of managing someone else's affairs, including different types of Power of Attorney. 

  • Supported by - GSTT Charity
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  • Critical Care Recovery