• Clip
• 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 31-40 >> Interview 06 >> Her family were all at the hospital when they found out she was critically ill, and she later learnt that she had pneumonia and septicaemia.

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 29 >> She recalled being ill and a vague conversation with medical staff about what was wrong, but wasn't aware that her lungs had collapsed until she came

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 18 >> He vaguely remembered hearing about his prospective daughter-in-law's new job.

Was diagnosed with cancer of the oesophagus in 2004. 2-day stay in ICU was planned, following surgery. Transferred to general ward in private hospital. Had to have a second operation and, because of complications, was admitted to ICU in NHS hospital. Spent 18 days in ICU. Had several more operations. In hospital for 5 weeks.

• 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 37 >> He had a road traffic accident and his first memory was of being in a ward a few weeks later.

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 09 >> He had a severe asthma attack and was moved to a ward after three days in intensive care.

Was admitted to intensive care in 2004 because of a severe asthma attack. Was in intensive care for 3 days and on a general ward for about ten days.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 61-70 >> Interview 03 >> He accepted that he was ill and couldn't move or communicate, but felt looked after and safe (he had Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome).

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 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 35 >> He couldn't walk, drink or talk when he came round but valued being taken outside for fresh air (he had Guillain-Barre Syndrome).

Was admitted to intensive care in 2004 because of Guillain-Barre Syndrome. This is a rare disorder of the peripheral nerves, those outside the brain and the spinal chord. Spent 17 days in intensive care and about 1 week in general ward. Was then transferred to rehabilitation ward in another hospital, and spent about 3 months there.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 51-60 >> Interview 09 >> He could shave one day and have a bath the next but didn't have the strength or energy to do both.

Was admitted to intensive care in 2004 because of a severe asthma attack. Was in intensive care for 3 days and on a general ward for about ten days.