Intensive care units run on a multidisciplinary team (MDT) model. The team play a central role in delivering safe, holistic, and patient-centred care. The MDT typically includes intensivists, nurses, physiotherapists, pharmacists, dietitians, and other allied health professionals, working collaboratively to manage the complex needs of critically ill patients. Regular MDT ward rounds and discussions ensure that clinical decisions are evidence-based, coordinated, and tailored to individual patients, while also supporting continuity of care. This team approach not only optimises patient outcomes but also enhances communication with families and provides a framework for shared decision-making in often challenging circumstances.

To highlight some roles in the ICU we have asked some of our colleagues to share what their job involves.

Physiotherapist (Suzanne Lindsay)

I am a Critical Care and Surgical Physiotherapist, working in NHS Highland. I have worked in Critical Care for 20 years, having trained at Queen Margaret College, Edinburgh. Upon commencing my Critical Care role, I completed a Post-Graduate Certificate in Advanced Cardiorespiratory Studies at UCL followed by an MSc in Physiotherapy at Queen Margaret University. Most recently, I have completed focused ultrasound in intensive care, specifically for physiotherapists, to become accredited in FUSIC lung. My main interests are rehabilitation and recovery from critical illness. I feel very fortunate to be able to help patients on their journey to recovery. I also have a keen interest in prehabilitation and am involved in the North Cancer Alliance Transforming Cancer Care steering group. I am also part of the Scottish Physiotherapists in Critical Care Practice Development Group which has developed a number of educational resources. Outwith work, I enjoy swimming, hill walking, running, travelling and cooking.

Occupational Therapist (Alix Shearer)

I’m Alix Shearer and for the past four years I have been the senior Occupational Therapist for critical care and cardiothoracics at the Golden Jubilee National Hospital.

The role of occupational therapy in critical care is varied. We assess patients in the early stages post event/operation. I asses vision, cognition, upper limb strength & dexterity and how these can inhibit someone’s engagement in daily activities such as brushing their own teeth or writing to communicate with loved ones. As the patient progresses, my role develops into more complex functional assessments and appropriate seating. Rehabilitation can be fun and I frequently use games to review someone’s gross and fine motor – but I won’t let you win easily!

Delirium and cognition are a big portion of the OT role in this setting, providing fidget aids, frequent orientation and encouraging functional engagement.

Multi Disciplinary team (MDT) working is so important within ICU making it a great place to work. I regularly complete joint sessions with Physiotherapists and Speech and Language Therapists to facilitate goal setting with patients.

At the start of establishing this service, I attended an Introduction into critical care course by the Kings College Hospital to learn from current centres. Having been in the role for a while, it has opened up opportunities for new competencies in traditionally non OT areas that will aid my practice and the service. I am particularly interested in cognition and continue to look for opportunities to promote occupational therapy in this area.

Dietitian (Lee Burns)

Hi, I am Lee Burns, Critical Care Dietitian at University Hospital Crosshouse. I qualified from Glasgow Caledonian University in 2003 & I have worked in Critical Care for the past 15 years.

I love that Critical Care is a specialty that is constantly evolving and there is always something new to learn. Working in a general Critical Care unit the caseload is so varied. We see patients with a wide range of conditions of varying complexities, requiring different routes of nutrition whilst taking into consideration metabolic changes, organ function and biochemical imbalances to name a few to develop a tailored plan to meet nutritional needs.

I feel that Dietetics is a very valued profession within the multi-disciplinary team in Critical Care and our input makes a tangible difference to patient care and recovery.

The British Dietetic Association (BDA) offer an Introduction to Critical Care Course which is aimed at those new to working in Critical Care. The Critical Care subgroup of the BDA also do a fantastic job of promoting the values of dietitians in Critical Care