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• Intensive care >> Intensive care: Patients' experiences >> Aged 61-70 >> Interview 03 >> He just had to talk to a doctor, and managed to use his Zimmer frame alone to walk down the ward to do it.

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 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 31-40 >> Interview 34 >> He was in intensive care twice and, on both occasions, found out from family, friends and medical staff what really happened and what was hallucinatio

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 41-50 >> Interview 26 >> He panicked because having a tracheostomy triggered memories from his childhood and his father's experience of illness.

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 >> 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 31-40 >> Interview 06 >> She craved fruit juice and was gradually allowed drinks and, later, on a ward, soft foods.

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 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 51-60 >> Interview 07 >> He recalled how nurses joked with him yet were quiet and gentle with people who needed a different approach.

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 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 31-40 >> Interview 35 >> He was still too weak to move or lift things when he was transferred to a ward and would have liked a HDU in his hospital.

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 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.