ABSTRACT
The philosophy of high dependency nursing pervades this book. This particular chapter will provide a summary/overview of the nature of high dependency nursing.
During the 1990s the adequacy of intensive care provision was questioned, mainly following media coverage and damning reports that highlighted inadequate/failing critical care services. This led to a report by the Department of Health in 1995 exploring the provision of intensive care services throughout the country (DOH, 1995). Its findings were that:
■ The number, distribution and use of intensive care beds varied around the country
■ Admission criteria varied (and were absent in some units) ■ Admissions were frequently refused because of staff shortages ■ One in six referrals to intensive care was inappropriate.
