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• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 51-60 >> Interview 37 >> He felt extremely emotional at different times and discussed his feelings with a doctor at a follow-up appointment.

Was admitted to intensive care in 2004 after having a motorbike accident. Spent 9 days in intensive care and 16 days in a trauma ward.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 51-60 >> Interview 39 >> Her husband's moods and behaviour were hard to deal with in the first few weeks after he had come home.

Was admitted to intensive care in 2005 after having an accident in the home. Spent about 4 days in intensive care and 3 days in a trauma ward.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 41-50 >> Interview 26 >> He felt bored and frustrated and had to learn how to walk again.

Was admitted to intensive care in 2005 because of severe pneumonia. Spent 30 days in intensive care and 8 days in a general ward.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 31-40 >> Interview 15 >> She was adamant about being taken outdoors as she'd been in hospital for so long.

Was admitted to ICU three times in 2004 and spent, in total, about 1 month in intensive care. Spent several months in hospital, in different wards and had a hospital transfer. Was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease and, shortly afterwards, had an ileostomy.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 41-50 >> Interview 26 >> He remembered the conversation he had with his wife before he was sedated in intensive care but nothing else until he came round about two weeks later

Was admitted to intensive care in 2005 because of severe pneumonia. Spent 30 days in intensive care and 8 days in a general ward.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 41-50 >> Interview 04 >> She felt agitated, confused and thought she was on a plane (she had sepsis).

Had bowel complications and septicaemia. Was in intensive care for nearly 5 weeks. Spent 1 week in a High Dependency Unit and was then discharged.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 51-60 >> Interview 19 >> He felt safe in the hands of the healthcare professionals and chose not to visit ICU before surgery for cancer.

Was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2004. Short stay in intensive care following surgery was planned. Spent 4 days in ICU and about 2 weeks in a general ward.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 41-50 >> Interview 33 >> He felt that everything about the surgery was explained thoroughly but would have liked more information about catheters.

Had planned triple heart bypass surgery in 2004. After surgery, spent 1 day in intensive care, 2 days in a High Dependency Unit, and 2 days in a general ward.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 41-50 >> Interview 33 >> He might not have survived surgery to see his children grow up: he now wants to make the most of his life.

Had planned triple heart bypass surgery in 2004. After surgery, spent 1 day in intensive care, 2 days in a High Dependency Unit, and 2 days in a general ward.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 41-50 >> Interview 13 >> She prepared herself psychologically but her first date for surgery was cancelled because of a shortage of beds.

Had planned surgery in 1998 to remove kidney because of ongoing problems with kidney stones and infections. ICU stay after surgery was also planned. Stayed in intensive care for 2 days. Spent about five weeks in hospital after surgery.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 71 plus >> Interview 40 >> His operation was cancelled to make room for an emergency, and he felt frightened during the build up to his next date for surgery.

Was diagnosed with an aneurysm in 2005. Intensive care stay was planned following surgery. Spent a couple of days in intensive care and a week in a general ward.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 51-60 >> Interview 07 >> He aimed to breathe without equipment and to move to a general ward by certain dates.

Was diagnosed with Guillain-Barre Syndrome, a rare disorder of the peripheral nerves, those outside the brain and spinal chord. Was in intensive care for 7 months and on a ward for 1 month. Was preparing to have rehabilitation at time of interview.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 41-50 >> Interview 29 >> She couldn't remember her name, her husband's name or details about her children, job and home (she had a surgical complication).

Had a planned hysterectomy in 2004. Complications led to a second operation. Was admitted to intensive care because of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome. Spent 2 weeks in intensive care, 1 day in High Dependence Unit and 1 week in a general ward.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 41-50 >> Interview 24 >> She remembered hearing voices, having treatments and coming round unable to do anything for herself (she had pneumonia).

Was admitted to intensive care in 2004 because of severe pneumonia. Spent about 5 weeks in intensive care and nearly 2 weeks in a general ward.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 31-40 >> Interview 05 >> She found it difficult to hold a pen and felt frustrated because her writing was unintelligible (she had pneumonia and sepsis).

Had pneumonia and severe sepsis. Was in intensive care for 22 days, the High Dependency Unit for 10 days and just over a week on a general ward.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 41-50 >> Interview 13 >> She had pain in her chest when she came round and, in her confusion, felt she was drowning (she had planned surgery to remove a kidney).

Had planned surgery in 1998 to remove kidney because of ongoing problems with kidney stones and infections. ICU stay after surgery was also planned. Stayed in intensive care for 2 days. Spent about five weeks in hospital after surgery.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 41-50 >> Interview 28 >> He couldn't move or communicate his fears of a nurse trying to shoot him.

Was admitted to intensive care in 2004 because of septicaemia. Spent about 7 weeks in intensive care and 4 weeks in a general ward.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 31-40 >> Interview 05 >> She was hallucinating when she came round and felt terrified of the nurses (she had pneumonia and sepsis).

Had pneumonia and severe sepsis. Was in intensive care for 22 days, the High Dependency Unit for 10 days and just over a week on a general ward.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 31-40 >> Interview 14 >> She slept very little in intensive care because of the lighting, medications and visits from family and medical staff.

Had a planned caesarean in 2005. Had a complication (placenta accreta) after she'd delivered and had to have a hysterectomy. Following hysterectomy, was in ICU for nearly 2 days, then spent 2 days in her own room in the hospital with her new baby. Discharged herself and has had no problems since.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 31-40 >> Interview 06 >> She felt disorientated and lay awake all night because of the medications and her own fears.

Was admitted to intensive care in 2003 because of pneumonia, and developed septicaemia. Spent 3 weeks in ICU, 36 hours in a High Dependency Unit and 5 weeks on a general ward.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 51-60 >> Interview 30 >> She stayed awake for four nights because she hallucinated whenever she tried to sleep, and felt isolated.

Was admitted to intensive care in 2005 because of epiglottitis and severe sepsis. Spent about 6 days in intensive care and 5 days in a High Dependency Unit.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 41-50 >> Interview 29 >> She was hallucinating that one of the doctors hated her and planned to kill her.

Had a planned hysterectomy in 2004. Complications led to a second operation. Was admitted to intensive care because of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome. Spent 2 weeks in intensive care, 1 day in High Dependence Unit and 1 week in a general ward.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 41-50 >> Interview 01 >> She sometimes feared she'd been kidnapped and needed to escape because she drifted between clarity and hallucinations.

Was admitted to intensive care in 1998 because of a complication during pregnancy, leading to septic shock. Was in ICU for 11 days and in general ward for 2 weeks. Recovered well and has had no further problems related to that illness.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 51-60 >> Interview 30 >> She was unable to move or talk and felt isolated and powerless.

Was admitted to intensive care in 2005 because of epiglottitis and severe sepsis. Spent about 6 days in intensive care and 5 days in a High Dependency Unit.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 31-40 >> Interview 05 >> She was hallucinating and pulled out one of the tubes because she thought it was something on her face.

Had pneumonia and severe sepsis. Was in intensive care for 22 days, the High Dependency Unit for 10 days and just over a week on a general ward.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 41-50 >> Interview 29 >> She panicked about being weaned off the ventilator in case she couldn't breathe, but medical staff supported her.

Had a planned hysterectomy in 2004. Complications led to a second operation. Was admitted to intensive care because of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome. Spent 2 weeks in intensive care, 1 day in High Dependence Unit and 1 week in a general ward.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 41-50 >> Interview 04 >> He stayed at the hospital day and night when his partner was first ill, and felt frightened.

Had bowel complications and septicaemia. Was in intensive care for nearly 5 weeks. Spent 1 week in a High Dependency Unit and was then discharged.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 31-40 >> Interview 06 >> She communicated by nodding at letters in the alphabet but found this slow and frustrating.

Was admitted to intensive care in 2003 because of pneumonia, and developed septicaemia. Spent 3 weeks in ICU, 36 hours in a High Dependency Unit and 5 weeks on a general ward.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 41-50 >> Interview 24 >> She felt very emotional when she spoke to her grandfather and mother for the first time since being ill.

Was admitted to intensive care in 2004 because of severe pneumonia. Spent about 5 weeks in intensive care and nearly 2 weeks in a general ward.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 41-50 >> Interview 04 >> At the time she worried about having her tracheostomy removed, but now the scar reminds her of what's important in life.

Had bowel complications and septicaemia. Was in intensive care for nearly 5 weeks. Spent 1 week in a High Dependency Unit and was then discharged.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 30 and under >> Interview 12 >> She was embarrassed when she was hoisted from the bed to a chair and surprised at how weak she looked when she saw herself in the mirror.

Was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. Had to have surgery to remove colon. Had kidney failure and was in intensive care for about 21 days, High Dependency Unit for about 2 weeks and a general ward for 2 weeks.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 61-70 >> Interview 27 >> He was dependent on others for his care and communication, and felt his 'real self' was trapped somewhere inside him.

Was admitted to intensive care in 2005 because of pancreatitis and septicaemia. Spent 2 weeks in intensive care, 2 weeks in a High Dependency Unit; 6 weeks in a general ward, and 2 weeks in a rehabilitation hospital.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 41-50 >> Interview 01 >> She wanted only close family to visit her while she was not looking like herself.

Was admitted to intensive care in 1998 because of a complication during pregnancy, leading to septic shock. Was in ICU for 11 days and in general ward for 2 weeks. Recovered well and has had no further problems related to that illness.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 41-50 >> Interview 24 >> She felt more positive after having her legs shaved by nurses and her eyebrows shaped by a beauty therapist.

Was admitted to intensive care in 2004 because of severe pneumonia. Spent about 5 weeks in intensive care and nearly 2 weeks in a general ward.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 41-50 >> Interview 04 >> Using bedpans was humiliating but this motivated her to recover and become independent again.

Had bowel complications and septicaemia. Was in intensive care for nearly 5 weeks. Spent 1 week in a High Dependency Unit and was then discharged.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 51-60 >> Interview 30 >> She would have liked more conversation and explanation from the nurses to ease her feelings of isolation.

Was admitted to intensive care in 2005 because of epiglottitis and severe sepsis. Spent about 6 days in intensive care and 5 days in a High Dependency Unit.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 61-70 >> Interview 20 >> He felt calm and accepting because there was nothing he could do but rely on the help of others.

Was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2004. Because of complication (idiopathic thrombocytopenia, diagnosed in 2000), short stay in intensive care was planned, following surgery. Spent 8 days in intensive care and 18 days in general ward.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 41-50 >> Interview 29 >> She recalled how the nurses went out of their way to help her feel cared for and positive.

Had a planned hysterectomy in 2004. Complications led to a second operation. Was admitted to intensive care because of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome. Spent 2 weeks in intensive care, 1 day in High Dependence Unit and 1 week in a general ward.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 41-50 >> Interview 28 >> He felt scared and upset when he became aware of people dying in ICU and HDU.

Was admitted to intensive care in 2004 because of septicaemia. Spent about 7 weeks in intensive care and 4 weeks in a general ward.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 41-50 >> Interview 24 >> She felt that her care was inconsistent because some nurses helped her with daily activities while others didn't.

Was admitted to intensive care in 2004 because of severe pneumonia. Spent about 5 weeks in intensive care and nearly 2 weeks in a general ward.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 51-60 >> Interview 30 >> She felt that nurses were desensitised and uncaring when they put monitoring technical equipment before talking with patients.

Was admitted to intensive care in 2005 because of epiglottitis and severe sepsis. Spent about 6 days in intensive care and 5 days in a High Dependency Unit.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 51-60 >> Interview 37 >> He felt like a child the first time his brother took him out and was very emotional.

Was admitted to intensive care in 2004 after having a motorbike accident. Spent 9 days in intensive care and 16 days in a trauma ward.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 31-40 >> Interview 34 >> Knowing that people had died in intensive care made him realise how ill patients in ICU really are, and how ill he himself must have been.

Was admitted to intensive care in 2001 because of acute pancreatitis. Spent 46 days in intensive care and 1 month in general ward. Needed to have surgery and was transferred to another hospital. Spent 4 weeks in hospital before surgery, 30 days in intensive care and 3 months in general ward. Overall length of stay in 2 hospitals was 7 ½ months.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 31-40 >> Interview 05 >> Her hallucinations started wearing off in HDU but she felt bored because she was unable to do anything.

Had pneumonia and severe sepsis. Was in intensive care for 22 days, the High Dependency Unit for 10 days and just over a week on a general ward.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 41-50 >> Interview 28 >> He was transferred to HDU after doctors removed his tracheostomy and he gradually started improving and eating more.

Was admitted to intensive care in 2004 because of septicaemia. Spent about 7 weeks in intensive care and 4 weeks in a general ward.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 61-70 >> Interview 27 >> He was moved back to HDU on several occasions because of a recurring infection.

Was admitted to intensive care in 2005 because of pancreatitis and septicaemia. Spent 2 weeks in intensive care, 2 weeks in a High Dependency Unit; 6 weeks in a general ward, and 2 weeks in a rehabilitation hospital.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 51-60 >> Interview 30 >> She found the nursing care she received one of the most upsetting parts of her hospital experience.

Was admitted to intensive care in 2005 because of epiglottitis and severe sepsis. Spent about 6 days in intensive care and 5 days in a High Dependency Unit.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 61-70 >> Interview 03 >> He felt safe, protected and cared for in ICU but isolated on the ward and was still very weak.

In 2002 had throat surgery and knew he would go to High Dependency Unit afterwards. Overnight, however, had Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome and needed emergency bronchoscopy. Was in intensive care for 5 weeks and in ward for 5 weeks.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 41-50 >> Interview 08 >> He was concerned about the experience of nurses on the ward and said mistakes were made with his medication.

Was admitted to ICU four times between 1994 and 2004 because of heart attack, angina, pneumonia and heart failure. In 2004, heart failure and chest infection led to a stay in ICU of about 10 days. Sadly, he died in February 2006.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 71 plus >> Interview 10 >> Some of the nurses couldn't understand what she was saying because English was their second language and she found this difficult when she was extreme

Was diagnosed with pancreatitis in 2004. Spent over a week in intensive care and 1 week in a general ward.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 71 plus >> Interview 10 >> She was glad to get back home because she found the noise from other patients, their visitors and nursing staff distressing.

Was diagnosed with pancreatitis in 2004. Spent over a week in intensive care and 1 week in a general ward.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 30 and under >> Interview 12 >> She still felt confused after being transferred and had to keep asking questions to understand what was happening.

Was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. Had to have surgery to remove colon. Had kidney failure and was in intensive care for about 21 days, High Dependency Unit for about 2 weeks and a general ward for 2 weeks.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 31-40 >> Interview 06 >> She was anxious about moving to a general ward because she was too weak to do anything for herself and had no energy to press the buzzer.

Was admitted to intensive care in 2003 because of pneumonia, and developed septicaemia. Spent 3 weeks in ICU, 36 hours in a High Dependency Unit and 5 weeks on a general ward.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 61-70 >> Interview 27 >> He had to balance his dependence on nurses with his own dignity as a person, and was pleased when he became less dependent for his personal care.

Was admitted to intensive care in 2005 because of pancreatitis and septicaemia. Spent 2 weeks in intensive care, 2 weeks in a High Dependency Unit; 6 weeks in a general ward, and 2 weeks in a rehabilitation hospital.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 41-50 >> Interview 29 >> Nurses expected her to be able to wash herself but became aware of her weakness and needs with time.

Had a planned hysterectomy in 2004. Complications led to a second operation. Was admitted to intensive care because of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome. Spent 2 weeks in intensive care, 1 day in High Dependence Unit and 1 week in a general ward.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 41-50 >> Interview 13 >> She felt weepy having had surgery but knew these feelings would pass because she'd had them before.

Had planned surgery in 1998 to remove kidney because of ongoing problems with kidney stones and infections. ICU stay after surgery was also planned. Stayed in intensive care for 2 days. Spent about five weeks in hospital after surgery.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 31-40 >> Interview 06 >> She had to rebuild her strength to do normal daily activities and missed her new baby.

Was admitted to intensive care in 2003 because of pneumonia, and developed septicaemia. Spent 3 weeks in ICU, 36 hours in a High Dependency Unit and 5 weeks on a general ward.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 71 plus >> Interview 22 >> He usually enjoyed reading but couldn't concentrate and felt bored.

Was admitted to ICU in 2004 because of a rare infection caused by slight dog bite. Had finger and toes amputated. Was in intensive care for 17 days and was discharged after a short stay in a general ward. Later attended another hospital for skin grafts.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 61-70 >> Interview 27 >> He was terrified when he fell into his Zimmer frame but says people must accept the challenges physiotherapists set them.

Was admitted to intensive care in 2005 because of pancreatitis and septicaemia. Spent 2 weeks in intensive care, 2 weeks in a High Dependency Unit; 6 weeks in a general ward, and 2 weeks in a rehabilitation hospital.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 61-70 >> Interview 27 >> He felt very emotional when he came home and was unprepared for adjusting to being with his wife again.

Was admitted to intensive care in 2005 because of pancreatitis and septicaemia. Spent 2 weeks in intensive care, 2 weeks in a High Dependency Unit; 6 weeks in a general ward, and 2 weeks in a rehabilitation hospital.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 51-60 >> Interview 37 >> He had to accept what others told him because he couldn't remember what had happened to him and so couldn't understand why he felt so ill.

Was admitted to intensive care in 2004 after having a motorbike accident. Spent 9 days in intensive care and 16 days in a trauma ward.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 41-50 >> Interview 24 >> She found it difficult to climb the steps leading to her front door and had to be wheeled around on an office chair inside the house.

Was admitted to intensive care in 2004 because of severe pneumonia. Spent about 5 weeks in intensive care and nearly 2 weeks in a general ward.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 41-50 >> Interview 24 >> Her illness made her realise that life is precious and she is now less tolerant when people complain.

Was admitted to intensive care in 2004 because of severe pneumonia. Spent about 5 weeks in intensive care and nearly 2 weeks in a general ward.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 41-50 >> Interview 24 >> At first she was afraid of being on her own at home but set herself small goals and gradually re-built her confidence.

Was admitted to intensive care in 2004 because of severe pneumonia. Spent about 5 weeks in intensive care and nearly 2 weeks in a general ward.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 41-50 >> Interview 04 >> She felt worried about catching an infection that might take her into hospital again.

Had bowel complications and septicaemia. Was in intensive care for nearly 5 weeks. Spent 1 week in a High Dependency Unit and was then discharged.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 41-50 >> Interview 04 >> She often felt angry and frustrated because she wanted to make the most of life but, physically, that was impossible.

Had bowel complications and septicaemia. Was in intensive care for nearly 5 weeks. Spent 1 week in a High Dependency Unit and was then discharged.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 41-50 >> Interview 25 >> He felt emotional when he thought about young people who had died and how close to death he himself came, and was grateful for all the support he rece

Was admitted to intensive care in 2003 because of severe pneumonia, septicaemia, liver abcess and kidney failure. Spent about 4 weeks in intensive care and 2 weeks in a general ward.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 31-40 >> Interview 05 >> She felt emotional when she saw her children perform in a play because she might not have been alive to see them grow up if she hadn't survived her il

Had pneumonia and severe sepsis. Was in intensive care for 22 days, the High Dependency Unit for 10 days and just over a week on a general ward.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 41-50 >> Interview 24 >> She was waiting to have some counselling to help her deal with feelings of guilt.

Was admitted to intensive care in 2004 because of severe pneumonia. Spent about 5 weeks in intensive care and nearly 2 weeks in a general ward.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 41-50 >> Interview 04 >> She felt reassured when she discussed her feelings with a nurse and learnt that how she felt was normal after critical illness.

Had bowel complications and septicaemia. Was in intensive care for nearly 5 weeks. Spent 1 week in a High Dependency Unit and was then discharged.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 61-70 >> Interview 03 >> His memories of intensive care flooded back to him when he visited the unit, and he now feels strongly about helping others who are recovering from cr

In 2002 had throat surgery and knew he would go to High Dependency Unit afterwards. Overnight, however, had Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome and needed emergency bronchoscopy. Was in intensive care for 5 weeks and in ward for 5 weeks.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 41-50 >> Interview 29 >> She was glad she visited ICU because this time she saw it as it really is and not as the 'scary' place she'd felt it was when she was seriously ill.

Had a planned hysterectomy in 2004. Complications led to a second operation. Was admitted to intensive care because of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome. Spent 2 weeks in intensive care, 1 day in High Dependence Unit and 1 week in a general ward.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 61-70 >> Interview 27 >> He is now able to talk about his hospital experience in the past tense and has become more patient, tolerant and sensitive.

Was admitted to intensive care in 2005 because of pancreatitis and septicaemia. Spent 2 weeks in intensive care, 2 weeks in a High Dependency Unit; 6 weeks in a general ward, and 2 weeks in a rehabilitation hospital.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 51-60 >> Interview 30 >> She wants to downsize and enjoy life more but worries about growing older.

Was admitted to intensive care in 2005 because of epiglottitis and severe sepsis. Spent about 6 days in intensive care and 5 days in a High Dependency Unit.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 41-50 >> Interview 28 >> He and his family treated each other differently for a while but they have now gone back to normal.

Was admitted to intensive care in 2004 because of septicaemia. Spent about 7 weeks in intensive care and 4 weeks in a general ward.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 31-40 >> Interview 11 >> She and her husband were shocked when they saw their 14-month-old daughter in intensive care, even though she was a nurse and knew what to expect.

Her 14-month-old daughter was admitted to intensive care in 2002 because of pneumococcal meningitis. Sadly, she died. Her organs were donated to help two other children survive.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 41-50 >> Interview 29 >> She cried when she read her ICU diary because she realised for the first time just how her illness had affected her family and friends.

Had a planned hysterectomy in 2004. Complications led to a second operation. Was admitted to intensive care because of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome. Spent 2 weeks in intensive care, 1 day in High Dependence Unit and 1 week in a general ward.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 31-40 >> Interview 05 >> She wants to go back to work but is worried she won't be able to cope with the pace, the stress and the physical demands of her job.

Had pneumonia and severe sepsis. Was in intensive care for 22 days, the High Dependency Unit for 10 days and just over a week on a general ward.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 51-60 >> Interview 30 >> She lost a lot of confidence when she first went back to work because of the pace and precision of her job and having to work nights.

Was admitted to intensive care in 2005 because of epiglottitis and severe sepsis. Spent about 6 days in intensive care and 5 days in a High Dependency Unit.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 41-50 >> Interview 24 >> Her family were her 'rock' during a difficult time in hospital.

Was admitted to intensive care in 2004 because of severe pneumonia. Spent about 5 weeks in intensive care and nearly 2 weeks in a general ward.