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Getting home

Getting home is a huge step on the road to recovery. While it is often an enormous relief to be back home, some may find the first few weeks a bit of an emotional rollercoaster in terms of readjusting to everyday life. In this section, we've provided some general information and advice on the common physical and psychological issues you might face, what you can do to help the recovery process along, and the types of help that might be available to you and your family after you get home. We've also included a few short pieces on other people's experience, which we hope you will find helpful. 

 

 

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External Video: Homeless persons legal advocacy service

Video explaining the Southwark Law centre homeless persons advocacy service

Web Link: How to get sick pay

This link provides some information about sick pay, such as conversations you need to have with your employer and how to get a fit note.

Web Link: ICUSteps - a charity to support patients and families who are experiencing or have experienced an ICU stay

This link will take you to the ICUSteps website. ICUsteps was set up in 2005 and became a registered charity in 2006. It is run by former Intensive Care patients and relatives, and their aim is to improve the care and support available to patients recovering from critical illness. The website provides information for patients and relatives on intensive care, recovery and coming to terms with surviving critical illness.

Web Link: Information about pulmonary rehabilitation

This page has information about pulmonary rehabilitation: what it is, who it is for, and how to be referred.

Web Link: INSPIRE: a rehabilitation programme in Scotland

This link will take you to Greater Glasgow & Clyde's webpage, with information on INSPIRE-a rehabilitation study that is taking place in several Scottish Health Boards: Fife, Ayrshire & Arran, Lanarkshire, NHS Glasgow, and the Golden Jubilee Hospital. Click on the link to find out more!

Article: Irritability and mood swings

It is common to feel that your mood and emotions are much more ‘up and down’ for a while after having spent time in Intensive Care. Patients often say that when they get home or are more physically able, this is when the emotional impact of what has happened becomes much more obvious. The relief of being alive can sometimes be quickly followed by deep sadness or anger about “why me?” and “it’s so unfair”. Not knowing or not remembering how you...

Article: Joint stiffness and pain

Patients sometimes suffer from stiff and painful joints after Intensive Care, particularly in the ankles, knees, elbows and shoulders. This can make it difficult to do simple things like getting out of bed, walking around the ward or washing and showering. Why do I have joint stiffness or pain? Patients who have spent longer in Intensive Care seem to be at greater risk of developing joint stiffness and pain. Joint stiffness and pain can be due to several things but is most likely a...

Web Link: King's Health Partners Homeless health service

The King's Health Partners homeless health team supports patients experiencing homelessness. We help patients who are attending or admitted to: Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust King's College Hospital South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust Our team includes: housing workers specialist nurses occupational therapists social workers GPs We have partnered with Southwark Law Centre to help people who are homeless achieve more stable lives, and...

Web Link: Lambeth and Southwark Memory Service - Mind

Memory difficulties after critical illness are common and can last beyond the 1st year back home. There are community and hospital based services to help assess and management these memory issues. In the community, there is Lambeth and Southwark Mind who work across both boroughs to support positive mental health and wellbeing. Working closely with a range of partners, they offer a number of activities from peer support groups to an information line. Their mission is to provide free,...

Web Link: Lambeth Community centre - Amputee rehabilitation unit

Most amputees in south east London will undergo major amputation here at St Thomas' Hospital. Shortly after amputation, when you are medically well and if ready to complete an intensive amputee rehabilitation programme, we will transfer you to our specialist Amputee Rehabilitation Unit where you will participate in therapy every day. For further information follow this link to the website.