Unit · Visits · Contact · Getting here
Saintes Hospital Centre
Our commitments to supporting you:
You or someone close to you has just been admitted to intensive care.
LifeMapp was designed to guide you through every stage of an intensive care stay and provide all the information you need. Conceived as a compass, the app helps you find your bearings and move towards returning to everyday life. Developed by the One O One Endowment Fund, LifeMapp is available free of charge to units that request it.
Dear Sir or Madam, Someone close to you has just been admitted to our Intensive Care and General High-Dependency Unit. Intensive care is a medical specialty dedicated to patients with a serious condition that may compromise one or more vital functions, such as the lungs, heart, kidneys, liver or brain. Depending on the situation, a range of treatments and devices may be used, including mechanical ventilation, sedation, dialysis and circulatory support. The General High-Dependency Unit (HDU) cares for patients whose condition requires: • close monitoring to prevent deterioration, • temporary use of intensive care techniques, or • specific care that cannot be provided on a standard hospital ward. Our medical, nursing and allied health teams are present around the clock, seven days a week, combining highly specialised treatment with constant attention to the human dimension of care. We are also here to listen to you. Family members and loved ones play an important role in the care journey, and we will do our best to keep you informed and answer your questions throughout the stay. Visiting is possible at any time of the day or night, provided that patients’ rest and the delivery of care are respected. Thank you for placing your trust in us. The team remains available should you wish to talk.
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Who is on the team?
The ICU room
Supporting my loved one
Managing my stress
Preparing for ICU discharge
Glossary
Our unit takes part in research groups working to improve care for intensive care patients.
Having someone close to you admitted to intensive care is always a distressing experience, marked by uncertainty, waiting and sometimes fear. These circumstances can profoundly disrupt everyday life and often bring a sense of helplessness. At such a suspended moment in time, the presence of family and friends becomes especially important. Your presence gives the patient something essential: something familiar in an unfamiliar place, an emotional anchor and a sense of safety amid highly technical care. Yet being present can also be emotionally and physically demanding. Family members are going through an ordeal too, trying both to be there for someone else and to look after themselves. Taking care of yourself at this time is a necessity. What can meeting with a psychologist offer? • A time to be heard: a confidential, non-judgemental space in which to express what you are feeling, your worries, questions and emotions. • Support with changes to family life: an admission is often sudden and unexpected, disrupting everyday routines. Talking can help you find your bearings, adapt and protect the family’s balance. • Support for children: when children or grandchildren would like to visit, the psychologist can help prepare them, answer their questions and make the meeting reassuring and meaningful. The intensive care unit psychologist offers psychological support to both patients and their families throughout the hospital stay. Please contact her: • directly on 05.46.95.72.83 • or by speaking to a member of the team, who will pass on your request.
Visiting hours
Monday
24/7
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Maximum number of visitors in each room at one time: 2 in intensive care / 3 in the HDUFind out more
Children may visit, but the visit must be prepared in advance. Please speak to a member of the care team.
The times shown are for guidance only. They may vary depending on activity in the unit and emergencies, or be adjusted to better accommodate your needs.
Best times to visit:
Best times to call:
Best times to speak with the medical team:
Pets are not allowed in the unit.
Administrative officeMonday to FridayFrom 09:00 to 17:00
05 46 95 15 10
Nurses’ station
05 46 95 13 37
Getting back in touch after a previous admission
PsychologistNathalie AUGnathalie.aug@gh-saintesangely.fr
05 46 95 72 83
Address:11 boulevard Ambroise Paré17100 Saintes
Welcome booklet enfant
View
Charter for Hospitalised Patients
Clinical research in the unit
LifeMapp is a tool developed and made available free of charge by 101 (One O One). You can support our work to help patients’ families.