A new rehabilitation space has opened in Southampton to support critical care patients on their journey to recovery.
Located within the General Intensive Care Unit (GICU) at University Hospital Southampton (UHS), the facility has been designed to help patients regain strength and independence during the early stages of recovery from life-threatening illness or injury.
It is equipped with specialist equipment such as a multigym, weights, parallel bars, exercise bikes, and an interactive games table, allowing patients to begin rehabilitation while still in intensive care.
READ MORE: Extra urgent dental appointments available across Hampshire
The facility was opened as part of the final phase of the wider GICU development. (Image: University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust)
Zoe van Willigen, lead physiotherapist for critical care at UHS, said: “This space is testament to the commitment of our whole ICU team, who champion rehabilitation at the earliest opportunity.
“An ICU admission can be life-changing and recovery can take years.
“Early rehab not only improves patient experience and outcomes but can also reduce hospital length of stay.”
The facility was opened as part of the final phase of the wider GICU development, following the opening of the £22 million unit in 2020.
A new staff room has also been created to support staff wellbeing during demanding shifts.
The opening was marked with a ribbon-cutting event attended by staff and former patient Fran Atkins.
READ MORE: Hampshire residents encouraged to get blood pressure checked
The space is equipped with specialist equipment such as a multigym, weights, parallel bars, and exercise bikes. (Image: University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust)
Ms van Willigen said: “Over time we hope that patients at different stages of recovery will share this space, offering encouragement and showing those early in their journeys that there is light at the end of the tunnel.
“It is also in line with the calls from NCEPOD last year for better rehabilitation in ICUs across the country, so we really are at the forefront of this change.”
Around 2,500 patients from across the south and the Channel Islands are treated in Southampton’s ICU each year.
Paul Grundy, chief medical officer at UHS, said: “By providing early, targeted rehabilitation right here in intensive care, we can accelerate patients’ recoveries, help them regain strength more quickly, reduce the amount of time they spend in ICU and in hospital overall, and ultimately improve their clinical outcomes.”
The £69,000 project was supported by Southampton Hospitals Charity.