Critical Care may be broadly defined as a service for patients who have potentially recoverable conditions who can benefit from more detailed observation and invasive treatment than can be provided safely in an ordinary ward. It is usually reserved for patients with threatened or established organ failure often arising as a result or complication of an acute illness or trauma or as a predictable phase in a planned treatment programme such as major surgery. Critical Care represents the highest level of continuing patient care and treatment.
Both UHND and DMH provide Adult Critical Care comprising of high dependency and Intensive Care patients in combined units. Renal Replacement Therapy is provided on both sites for the critically ill patients.
'Care received was fantastic and I was very well looked after and very impressed.'
Patient, Day Surgery, Darlington Memorial Hospital