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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: 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. 

Article: Money issues

What if I can't pay the bills? It can be stressful enough, worrying about a family member in Intensive Care, without the added stress of worrying about money and how you're going to pay the bills. This is especially true if your loved usually dealt with money issues, if either of you are self employed or you need to take a lot of time off work in order to visit him or her or to look after children. Can I get access to his or her bank account? You may need access to...

External Video: Post Intensive Care Syndrome Family

This video examples what the symptoms are of Post Intensive Care Syndrome Family. It is not uncommon for families to suffer from poor health themselves, as having a loved one in ICU is a stressful and very emotional experience. It explains why this happens and how to seek help

Web Link: Religious Services at Guys and St Thomas'

We provide religious services for many denominations and beliefs. More details are provided on the GSTT website

Web Link: Spiritual Care

Spiritual Care at Guys and St Thomas' Hospital We support people of all faiths and beliefs or anyone who would like someone to talk to. We're happy to meet with patients, families or friends. We're available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. More details are found on this link

Web Link: Support and benefits for carers

This link will take you to the NHS page on support for carers. You'll find trustworthy information on carers' rights, carers' assessments, benefits for carers, breaks and respite care, and support for young carers.

Web Link: Support for carers when someone is dying or has died

Sadly, not everyone survives a stay in the Intensive Care Unit. This link will take you to the website of good life,good death and good grief. They are a group that brings together people and organisations that are interested in improving people’s experiences of death, dying and bereavement in Scotland. This link will take you directly to their pages on support for carers, although you may find other pages useful.We are very sorry for your loss.  

External Video: Symptoms of Post Intensive Care Syndrome and Families

This video explains the symptoms of post intensive care syndrome, what families will experience and the types of support that are availble to patients and families

Article: Things you can do to help

You might sometimes feel quite helpless when visiting your loved one in Intensive Care, but there's a lot you can do to help him or her. Research tells us that patients will often (but not always) remember your visits, and that family and friends are a real lifeline when trying to make sense of a very strange environment. Speak to him or her: Even when patients are deeply sedated or unconscious, they may well be able to hear and be comforted by a familiar voice. You might not know what...

Web Link: UK Government Information; Personal Independent Payment

This link provides information on Personal Independence Payment (PIP) scheme