A multidisciplinary follow-up clinic after patients' discharge from ITU

Abstract

Follow-up clinics following discharge from intensive care are not a new phenomenon - Whiston Hospital in Liverpool has been running a clinic since 1990. Its pioneering work has set a precedent and has inspired Nottingham City Hospital to set up its own clinic. The Department of Health (2000) recommended that all NHS trusts 'review the provision of follow-up services and ensure there is appropriate provision for those patients who will benefit'. Nottingham City Hospital set up a multidisciplinary follow-up clinic without funding, with great success, over a year ago. This service has been extremely valuable to patients and their carers and has helped staff understand the needs of patients once they have left intensive care. This article will describe the clinic's work and case studies are utilized in order to illustrate key points.