The support group, run by the Critical Care Rehab team, provides a safe space for patients and their families who have previously spent time in critical care to come together to share their experiences with one another.
Being admitted for critical care can leave patients emotionally drained for months and even years following discharge. Being able to talk things through with people who have been through similar experiences provides huge benefits to their continued recovery.
Originally set up by former critical care nurse Rosie Wilson during 2022 with funding from Leeds Hospitals Charity, the monthly meet-up now sees around 10 regular attendees and welcomes patients who have spent time on critical care units across West Yorkshire. One patient, Chris, who has been part of the group from the start, has become the Patient Support Lead, and travels each month from his home in Liverpool.
After two years of help, care and education I’ve made a lovely group of lived experience friends. I hope the support group will be an important part of people’s recovery for many more years to come.
Chris, Patient Support Lead
It’s fantastic to see how the support group has continued to grow over the past two years, and how much our patients get out of it. Our regular attendees get a huge boost from supporting each other, and it’s a real tribute to their dedication to see how much progress everyone has made.
Claire Harris, Critical Care Rehabilitation Assistant and group co-lead
As well as providing a regular space for mutual support, the group also sees several guest speakers provide insights to care and recovery, and has seen a physiotherapist, a consultant, a speech and language therapist, a dietitian, and more present to the group over the two years.
Attending the support group has really helped with coming to terms with everything that happened during my time on ICU, the fact that I’m not alone in these struggles. Being part of the group with the same experiences really helps, and I have seen such a change in the rest of the group – everyone is moving forward, and I really think I get strength from the group.
Paul, former patient and support group member
If you or someone you know may benefit from attending the group, email [email protected] for more information.
