Critical Care Belfast

Critical care is often a confusing and frightening experience for patients and families and it is helpful when family and friends can visit. We strive to keep visiting as flexible as possible whilst maintaining the safety of all of our patients.

We recognise that visiting is important for both patients and relatives. A visit from someone in your faith community may also usually be possible and where this is not we have a dedicated hospital chaplaincy service.

In order to allow patients to rest and recover and reduce the risk of vulnerable patients exposure to colds and flu we must limit the number of visitors at any one time and there may be set times for visiting

Sometimes, such as during the Coronavirus pandemic, it may not be possible to visit patients in hospitals. However, the Intensive care team will be able to advise you and your family of what we can do to help. If visiting is not possible then voice or video calls can be used to provide updates and support until it is safe to accept visitors once more.

Families should contact each of the units for up to date visiting guidance.

We will try our best to accommodate individual requirements, particularly during critical illness.

It is always good to reassure unconscious patients rather than asking questions which they can not answer. Patients may be able to hear even though they are unable to respond.

What will I need for virtual visiting?