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• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 51-60 >> Interview 02 >> He got tired quickly and recommends visitors only stay for short periods of time.

Had very severe cold and coughing in 2005, which turned out to be pneumonia. Was in intensive care for nearly a month and in general ward for about 4 days. Has now fully recovered.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 41-50 >> Interview 33 >> He felt stronger after having heart surgery but was tired and hallucinating when he first came round.

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 24 >> The physiotherapists encouraged her to walk even though she was weak and found it difficult to eat.

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 asked some of her family not to visit so she could have the energy to do her physiotherapy.

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 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.

• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 61-70 >> Interview 27 >> He adored some of the nurses but felt others were very busy and uncaring and, on one occasion, left him in his chair for twelve hours.

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 36 >> Physiotherapists, carers and an occupational therapist helped her until she was strong enough to do more for herself.

Was admitted to hospital in 2005 for surgery to remove a brain tumour. Complications, including a pulmonary embolism and breathing difficulties, led to intensive care admission.

• 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 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 51-60 >> Interview 19 >> A few days after getting home he felt depressed and accepted that recovery from major surgery would take some time.

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.