Specialist Physiotherapy Practitioner
Over the coming weeks, we will be highlighting the roles of the people who work within the Emergency Department and Critical Care as part our Emergency Village and Critical Care Development campaign. Here we meet Specialist Physiotherapy Practitioner, Nicky…
Nicky Williams has an extra special role at Blackpool Victoria’s Critical Care department.
As of of only a few Specialist Physiotherapy Practitioners in the area, Nicky looks after the long-term patients in the Intensive Care Unit, a role she has been performing for the last six years.
Intensive care is needed if someone needs close monitoring after elective surgery or if they become critically unwell and need intensive medical.
A person can lose up to 8% muscle mass in just one day, so the earlier we can start the rehab, the better for the patient.”
Once patients’ conditions have improved within Intensive Care, they are often transferred to the High Dependency Unit (HDU). The HDU ward is for patients who need more intensive observation, treatment and nursing care than is possible in a general ward, but slightly less than that given in Intensive Care.
“But I feel very lucky and privileged. I get to know patients and families so well throughout the process. It is very sad that not all the patients recover and that does take its toll at times, but it’s so rewarding to see people recover and go on to live their lives.”