“NO two days are the same” for staff on the intensive care unit at Salisbury District Hospital.

The Journal met with staff on the Radnor Ward to find out more about what goes on in the unit. This is the first in a series of features exploring the different areas of the hospital.

Emily Rudd and Nick Hayter are the lead nurses for intensive care and high dependency, and the critical care outreach team also oversee the resuscitation training department.

And across the three departments there are about 96 members of staff.

Emily said: “No two days are the same really. Personally, I love being able to give that nursing care to patients and follow them through and give that one-to-one care.”

Deputy lead nurse Kim Lucas added: “There isn’t anywhere else really that lets you have that one-to-one with a patient and with their family.”

She said: “There has to always be somebody with an intensive care patient without fail.”

Nick explains that a typical day starts with a patient handover followed by ward rounds and a review of patients. Then physiotherapy staff come up with plans for the patient’s day.

“They [patients] will be seen by various people from different teams, dieticians come up, occupational therapists, physio, and clinical psychologists,” he adds.

While patients are in the unit staff fill out diaries, that relatives are asked to contribute to, to keep them up-to-date with what has been happening including news, weather, visitors they have had and the progress they have been making.

Weddings have even been organised on the unit.

Patients and staff have access to support from clinical physiologists. And there is also a follow up clinic which offers support to patients after they have returned home.

Emily said: “A lot of our patients come back to see us when they are well enough, which is lovely.”

Speaking about seeing patients on the road to recovery, she added: “It is just so rewarding and makes you do the job.”

The hospital was rated outstanding for its critical care in its latest CQC report.