Supporting Intensive Care Patients & Their Families

Where there’s a will is a small, newly formed charity which has been set up to support the GICU at Southampton General Hospital by raising funds to enhance the provision of facilities, support services and equipment for patients and their families and carers.

Most of the patients in GICU are emergency admissions which are caused by a wide range of conditions or traumas. Being seriously hurt or ill can be traumatic both for patients and their family and friends and so our work supports anyone who is affected by a patients stay in GICU.

The charity is run by past patients and carers working very closely with the staff on the unit to ensure that our aims are in line with their priorities.

Currently we have set up a support group for past patients, their family members and carers. We are also raising public awareness about the long term needs of GICU and its patients through events and sponsored activities and hope to raise £5000.

In the future we need to raise sufficient funds to provide a comprehensive rehabilitation and follow up service as research shows that this provision greatly improves the psychological and physical recovery of patients and offer important support to their family and carers

Eventually we hope to fund the full range of facilities, support services and equipment required by the GICU. Which will include a wide range of provision such as; communication devices for patients, support for the children of GICU patients and the provision of resources that will enable some patients to have the option to go home to die.