News

The Kent, Surrey, and Sussex Adult Critical Care Operating Delivery Network (KSS ACC ODN) recently held its Annual Conference at the Holiday Inn Gatwick Worth, Crawley. The event welcomed over 130 delegates from 19 critical care units, creating a dynamic space for collaboration, learning, and shared purpose across the region.

Clinical Excellence in Focus

A key theme of the day was acute liver failure, with expert-led sessions exploring:

• Aetiology & Clinical Management: Modern approaches to diagnosis and treatment, including distinctions in alcoholic hepatitis.
• Pharmacokinetics in Liver Disease: Safe prescribing practices, dose adjustments, and sodium management.
• Nutritional Requirements: Addressing malnutrition and strategies to meet the complex nutritional needs of this patient group.

ARCC Transfer Service

The ARCC team shared their commitment to delivering equitable care across the region, providing an overview of their service, challenges faced, and future plans. Their presentation reinforced the importance of consistent, high-quality care—regardless of location

Patient Experience

A powerful and emotional session was delivered by a former ICU patient, who is also a retired ITU nurse and nurse educator. She shared her 48-day ICU journey, highlighting the impact on her and her family, and the value of multidisciplinary rehabilitation and follow-up services.

Virtual Reality in ICU

Kirsten Mitchell presented on the use of Virtual Reality (VR) in critical care to reduce stress and anxiety, support rehabilitation, and address the multidimensional impacts of critical illness, including Post Intensive Care Syndrome (PICS).

Harnessing Analytics in Critical Care

Gemma Millen explored how data and analytics are being used to improve patient outcomes, enable performance surveillance, and support research, audit, and quality improvement initiatives across the network.

Staff Wellbeing: A System-Level Approach

Professor Jill Maben delivered a thought-provoking session on staff psychological wellbeing, advocating for proactive, systemic change. She emphasised the link between staff wellbeing and patient experience, and shared a practical guide accessible via QR code.

 End-of-Life Bereavement & Follow-Up Service

The team from Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust (SASH) presented their pioneering bereavement pathway, supported by evidence and guidelines. Future plans include a bereavement toolkit for staff and initiatives to support children visiting ICU, with aspirations to share the model nationally.

Research Panel Discussion

Four critical care research clinicians shared their experiences, challenges, and motivations. The interactive session addressed key questions such as:

• How to engage hospitals in research investment
• Where to find funding and estimate costs
• Ethical considerations in industry-funded research
• Training pathways for junior staff and managers

Looking Ahead

The conference was a resounding success filled with networking, knowledge-sharing, and inspiration. We look forward to welcoming delegates again next year as we continue to strengthen and grow our critical care community across Kent, Surrey, and Sussex.