Frequently Asked Questions

The ICU (Intensive Care Unit) is a specialised ward for patients who need a higher level of monitoring and support than a general hospital ward can provide. This might mean they need help with breathing, blood pressure support, or close monitoring of their vital signs.

Being in the ICU does not automatically mean a patient is dying — many people are admitted for relatively short periods, receive intensive support, and then transfer back to a general ward as they recover. However, patients in the ICU are seriously unwell and require expert, round-the-clock care.

Quite possibly, yes. Even patients who appear deeply sedated or unresponsive may be able to hear and process voices around them. We encourage families to talk to their loved ones calmly and naturally — tell them who is there, what day it is, and reassuring things about home and family.

There is good evidence that familiar voices and gentle touch are comforting, even when a patient cannot respond. Please do not be self-conscious about speaking to them.

Each tube and machine has a specific purpose. Common ones include: a breathing tube and ventilator to help or take over breathing; IV lines in veins to give fluids, medications and nutrition; monitoring cables to continuously track heart rate, blood pressure and oxygen levels; a urinary catheter to measure kidney output; and sometimes drains to remove fluid from around the lungs or other areas.

The number of machines can look alarming, but each one is there to either support a body function or to give the team accurate information. The bedside nurse can explain what each one does.

ICU alarms are set deliberately sensitive, which means they go off very frequently for minor changes that do not represent an emergency. The bedside nurse responds to every alarm and is trained to assess what each one means.

If there is a genuine concern, you will see the team respond promptly. If you are worried about something specific, always ask — the nurse will explain what is happening.

This is one of the hardest questions to answer, because it depends entirely on the individual patient and what is causing their illness. ICU stays can range from one or two days to weeks and months. We are honest with families about uncertainty — we often cannot give precise timeframes, and predictions can change quickly in either direction.

What we can tell you is that we review the plan many times each day and will discuss progress and what to expect as things develop.

The bedside nurse is always your first point of contact and can answer many questions directly. If you want to speak with a doctor, let the nurse know — they will arrange a time. Formal ward rounds happen throughout the day, and a doctor is available for family discussions at other times when clinically possible.

Refer to your bedside nurse initially — they can address most concerns directly. If you are still worried after speaking with them, you can escalate through the REACH program by calling (02) 8514 1118 (extension 41118 from any hospital phone). See our For Families page for how REACH works.

If you have a large family, it helps to nominate one or two people to receive updates, who can then relay information to others. This ensures everyone gets consistent information and reduces the pressure on the ICU team.

Preventing pain and distress is one of our core priorities. Patients in the ICU are regularly assessed for pain and discomfort, and receive appropriate analgesia and sedation. Patients on breathing tubes receive medication to keep them comfortable — being on a ventilator is not painful.

If you are concerned your loved one seems distressed or in pain, please tell the bedside nurse immediately.

If a patient's condition is deteriorating significantly, or if the team has concerns about the trajectory, we will always speak honestly with the family. We believe strongly in open, compassionate communication — including about uncertainty, about the limits of what medicine can achieve, and about what your loved one would want.

If there comes a point where further aggressive intervention is unlikely to help, we will have a careful, considered conversation about shifting the focus of care to comfort and dignity. These conversations are never easy, but they are always handled with care and respect.

A mechanical ventilator is a machine that breathes for a patient — or assists their breathing — when they cannot breathe effectively on their own. This might be because of lung disease, infection, injury, or because they need to be kept very still and sedated for a procedure or to recover.

Patients on a ventilator have a breathing tube (endotracheal tube) placed through the mouth into the windpipe, or have a tracheostomy into their trachea (windpipe). They are given sedation to ensure they are comfortable. As they improve, the level of ventilator support is gradually reduced until they can breathe independently and the tube can be removed — a process called weaning and extubation.

Sedation refers to medications that reduce consciousness, anxiety and awareness. In the ICU, sedation is used to keep patients comfortable — especially those on breathing tubes or undergoing procedures.

The level of sedation varies greatly from patient to patient and changes over time. Some patients are kept deeply sedated; others are lightly sedated and can follow simple commands. We aim to use the minimum sedation necessary.

Memory of the ICU varies. Some patients have no memory at all; others have vivid but fragmented recollections, sometimes including disturbing dreams or hallucinations. Both are normal. If memories are troubling, this is worth discussing with a psychologist or GP after discharge.

Yes — familiar items can be very comforting, especially as patients become more awake and aware. Consider bringing: a family photo, a playlist of favourite music (played softly through headphones or a phone speaker), a familiar scent such as a hand cream, or comfortable clothing for when they are recovering.

Please check with the nursing staff before bringing in food or flowers, as some patients have dietary restrictions or are in areas where these are not permitted.

Chris O'Brien Lifehouse is located at 119-143 Missenden Road, Camperdown NSW 2050. The ICU is an inpatient unit within the hospital — staff at the main reception can direct you to the correct floor.

On-site parking is available beneath the hospital, with additional parking nearby at the RPA car park. The hospital is well served by public transport: Newtown station is around a 16-minute walk, Macdonaldtown station is closer, and numerous bus stops are located on Missenden Road, Parramatta Road and King Street. Chris O'Brien Lifehouse also runs a free shuttle bus service for patients between the hospital and Central Station.

For account and billing enquiries, please contact us at billing@cccc.care or write to us at PO Box 97, Gladesville NSW 1675. See our Contact page for full details.

Specialist fees from Camperdown Critical Care Consultants are separate from hospital fees charged by the Lifehouse. Specialist fees are generally billed under gap cover arrangements with private health insurers, usually with no out-of-pocket cost — please contact your insurer directly to confirm your cover. If you are self-paying, you will receive invoices directly from Camperdown Critical Care Consultants. You can email billing@cccc.care for more information.

For patients within the Lifehouse, contact the ICU via the hospital switchboard to speak with the on-call intensivist or registrar. For urgent situations or deteriorating patients, activate the MET response through standard hospital channels calling 2222.

See our For Referring Clinicians page for detailed referral guidance, including clinical criteria and what information to have ready.

The Lifehouse ICU primarily serves patients admitted to the Lifehouse — our focus is on the oncology, haematology and perioperative population. For external transfers, admissions are arranged through the hospital admissions processes.