Intensive care – understanding the journey
One of the most frightening things about being critically ill, or having a family member or friend with a critical illness, is not understanding what is happening around you and what to expect moving forward.
South Metropolitan Health Service (external site) offers around-the-clock monitoring and care at intensive care units (ICU) at both Fiona Stanley Hospital and Rockingham General Hospital (external site).
The following pages outline the different treatments, experiences and emotions you or a loved one may experience while receiving intensive care at either of these SMHS hospitals.
As recovering from a critical illness or injury can be a long and slow process, there is also information on what to expect on the next steps of this journey.
Please note information about a patient can only be given to a patient’s next-of-kin.
Phone the Fiona Stanley Hospital Helpdesk on 6152 2222 and ask to be transferred to ICU.
The ICU is located on Level 1 of the main hospital building – view the Fiona Stanley Hospital map (PDF 1MB).
Find information about travelling to and parking at Fiona Stanley Hospital.
If you are concerned about your loved one's care
Our ICU staff do all they can to keep family members and friends informed about their loved one’s condition, what treatments are being given and why. Where possible, they will talk with both the patient and family members about what treatment options are available. If there is anything you don’t understand or want to know more about, ask our ICU staff.
If you are concerned about the care being given to your loved one, speak first with our ICU staff.
If you still feel your concerns are not being addressed by the ICU staff after that conversation, phone the Patient and Family Liaison Service on 6152 4013.
If you are still concerned, make an Aishwarya’s CARE Call for Fiona Stanley Hospital by phoning 6152 8168 at any time to speak with a dedicated senior staff member who will listen to your worries and concerns and action these urgently.
Please note information about a patient can only be given to a patient’s next-of-kin.
Phone the Rockingham General Hospital switchboard on 9599 4000 and ask to be transferred to ICU.
The ICU is located at Ground floor, Block B.
Find out about coming to and parking at Rockingham General Hospital (external site).
If you are concerned about your loved one's care
Our ICU staff do all they can to keep family members and friends informed about their loved one’s condition, what treatments are being given and why. Where possible, they will talk with both the patient and family members about what treatment options are available. If there is anything you don’t understand or want to know more about, ask our ICU staff.
If you are concerned about the care being given to your loved one, speak first with our ICU staff.
If you still feel your concerns are not being addressed by the ICU staff after that conversation, ask to speak with the Rockingham General Hospital ICU nursing coordinator.
If you are still concerned, make an Aishwarya’s CARE Call for Rockingham General Hospital by phoning 9459 4770 at any time to speak with a dedicated senior staff member who will listen to your worries and concerns and action these urgently.
We gratefully acknowledge the permission of ICU Steps (external site) to adapt their resources in the development of this content.