Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Services

About ICUs

ICU is a specialised area in the hospital that cares for people who are critically unwell or have life-threatening conditions. Patients in the ICU need close monitoring, specialised equipment, and support for vital body functions such as breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure.

The ICU is staffed by a highly trained team of doctors, nurses, allied health professionals (e.g. pharmacists, physiotherapists, social workers, dietitians and occupational therapists) and support staff who work together to provide constant care and respond quickly to changes in a patient’s condition.

We understand that having a loved one in the ICU can be a stressful and emotional time. Our team is here not only to care for your loved one, but also to support you and your family. We encourage you to ask questions and speak with the care team at any time.

Our services

Across the Hunter New England Local Health District, there are five hospitals with ICUs providing specialised care for people who are critically unwell. These ICUs are located at John Hunter, Calvary Mater Newcastle, Maitland, Manning, and Tamworth Hospitals.

These units work closely together as part of a connected network to make sure patients get the right care, at the right time, and as close to home as possible. However, occasionally, patients may need to be moved to another hospital for more specialised treatment.

When this happens, specially trained retrieval teams based in Newcastle, Belmont and Tamworth are responsible for safely moving patients between hospitals. These are the same teams that respond to serious emergencies in the community, ensuring people get the care they need quickly and safely.

Our people

Our ICUs are staffed by dedicated teams of highly trained professionals who are committed to providing the best possible care for critically ill patients and their families.

Each ICU team includes intensive care doctors, specialist nurses, allied health professionals, and support staff who work together around the clock. These teams have advanced training in caring for people with serious illnesses and injuries, using the latest technology and treatments.

We understand that having a loved one in the ICU can be overwhelming. Our people are not only here to provide expert medical care, but also to support you through every step of the journey with compassion, clear communication, and respect.

What to expect

Having someone you care about in the ICU can feel overwhelming. Our goal is to provide not only expert medical care, but also support and clear information for families during this time.

The ICU is a specialised area in the hospital where patients with serious illnesses or injuries receive continuous care and close monitoring. Because of this, health professionals are present 24/7 and use advanced equipment to monitor and support vital functions like breathing, heart activity, and blood pressure.

You may see a number of machines at the bedside including monitors, IV pumps and breathing machines (ventilators). These allow the team to deliver high level care and quickly respond to any changes in the patient’s condition.

The environment in the ICU is calm but focused and may feel different from other hospital areas, due to the level of care and equipment involved. Visiting times may vary slightly between hospitals and families are always welcome, but its best to check with staff in the unit before coming to visit. Sometimes the unit can be busy caring for multiple critically ill patients, and you may be asked to wait until a procedure is finished, ward rounds have been completed, or your loved one is having personal care attended.

Typically, patients in the ICU are very unwell and may not require many personal items from home. As your loved one’s condition improves, please speak with staff about what items you can bring in and they will guide you on what might be helpful. If your loved one has been admitted for a while, consider bringing a book, magazine or some music to keep them occupied during the day.

We know this is a challenging time, and we’re here to support you. Please feel free to ask questions or speak with our team, as we’re committed to keeping you informed and involved in your loved one’s care. If you need an interpreter to help with the conversation, please let our staff know and one can be arranged.

For professionals

Our ICUs across the Hunter New England Local Health District are committed to fostering learning, development, and career growth for medical, nursing staff and allied health staff.

Each ICU offers a supported education program tailored to the level of experience and professional goals of the individual. Whether you're starting your career in critical care or looking to build on existing skills, our teams are here to support your development.

Most of our ICUs are accredited training sites with the College of Intensive Care Medicine (CICM), providing structured training pathways and valuable clinical experience for medical trainees depending on your educational needs.

For nursing staff, each unit facilitates a Transition to Specialty Practice (TTSP) program designed to support nurses entering the critical care environment, with structured learning, clinical mentorship, and hands-on experience.

Specialist allied health professionals (pharmacists, physiotherapists, social workers, dietitians) are also integrated within our teams. If you're interested in joining one of our ICU teams or learning more about the opportunities available, we encourage you to reach out to the individual units directly.

Alternatively, explore current job opportunities through the Hunter New England Health careers page.

We look forward to welcoming passionate, skilled professionals who are ready to make a difference in critical care.