Island Life Magazine Ltd October/November 2010 | Page 127

Island Life - October/November 2010
monitoring.
Dr. Cramer continued: “The intensive care
service on the Isle of Wight commenced
formally in 1985 and was based on a 2
bed side room at the Royal Isle of Wight
hospital in Ryde. The current purpose built
ICU has been part of St Mary’s Hospital
since it opened in 1991 although it has been
upgraded and extended.
Originally it had four beds, and then has
gradually improved and increased in size with
the current set-up being in existence for the
past couple of years. The ICU is staffed by
a wide range of health care professionals.
During day time hours there is a Consultant
Intensivist (usually an anaesthetist),
physiotherapists, pharmacist and a doctor in
training. A team of resident medical specialist
doctors cover the ICU at all times.
The ICU nursing team is led by the ICU
Matron Louise Webb, who is one of the
original team from 1985, and comprises over
45 qualified nurses who have specialist ICU
nursing skills plus a small team of auxiliary
nurses. Every shift, covering 24 hours, has
a senior member of nursing staff in charge,
usually a Sister or a senior staff nurse,
all of whom have further extensive ICU
qualifications and experience. The ICU team
also comprises a Ward clerk and cleanliness
assistants. So it really is team work at its
best.
“We have had a Critical Care Outreach
nurse in place since March, This is an
advanced/ specialist nurse practitioner, who
visits the wards at the hospital daily, sees
patients at risk of deterioration and advises
the ward staff and if required gets medical
intensive care input. This enables patients to

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remain within the normal wards and prevents
them developing critical illness as well as
ensures they do not end up in intensive care.
Having Critical care Outreach h