Experiences of Visitors to a Regional Major Trauma Intensive Care Unit (VISIT_ICU)

Since 2011, people who have had a serious accident in England are no longer looked after at the hospital nearest to them. Instead, they are cared for at a specialist hospital called the regional major trauma centre. This is so that they can get the best possible care from specialist professionals.

St George's is the regional major trauma centre for the 2.6 million people living in South West London and Surrey County. This area stretches about 40 miles across.

About one fifth of major trauma patients who come to St George's live more than one hour's journey away. Their visitors often travel a similar distance or even further. Family members and friends play an important part during the patient's stay. It is important to support visitors.

The aim of this study is to describe the experiences of visitors whose family member or friend has been admitted to the major trauma intensive care unit at St George's. In particular, the aim is to describe the experiences of visitors who travel from far.

First, ten visitors will be interviewed to find out more about their experiences. From these data, a survey questionnaire will then be developed and approximately 150 visitors who have been to St George's in recent months will be surveyed. This will give in-depth insights to understanding peoples' experiences of visiting at St George's, and what people thought was going well and things that could be better. The study will end with a service improvement workshop with representatives from the team at St George's and visitors. Study findings will be discussed and decisions on what should be improved will be made.

This study is being funded by St George's Hospital Charity. The study runs from August 2017 to October 2018.