Compassionate care for the critically ill
Mater’s Intensive Care and close observation units are a dynamic and high-performing tertiary intensive care services in South Brisbane, Townsville and Rockhampton.
The units are run by dedicated multi-disciplinary teams of critical care clinicians who provide care to critically ill patients with the help of complex machines and equipment 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Patients undergoing major surgery and patients with life-threatening organ dysfunction require intensive monitoring, support and treatment by the care team.
Our patients are at the centre of what we do and we strive to be professional and respectful when communicating with each other, with patients and their loved ones.
Patients and families have the right to ask questions about their care and we encourage and support shared decision making.
Visiting Close Care Units
- Visiting hours are flexible; however due to spacing and privacy a maximum of two visitors per patient are permitted in the unit at any one time.
- Please stay home if you are unwell in any way.
- Clean your hands thoroughly before entering and after leaving the unit.
- Please keep noise to a minimum, turn mobile phones off or switch to silent mode.
- Flowers and large gifts such as stuffed toys and balloons are not permitted in the units, please also check with the team before bringing in any food items.
- We are constantly attending to patients’ needs; therefore, there may be times when visitors will be asked to wait outside to facilitate patient care or procedures.
- As family and friends of a patient, the best thing you can do is to be there, provide support and let them know you care. In most cases it is okay to touch a patient, hold their hand and talk to them. They may not be able to respond but they can usually hear and feel you.
Close Care Units near you
South Brisbane
Mater’s Intensive Care Service is a dynamic and high-performing tertiary intensive care service in the heart of South Brisbane. The service comprises two physically separate but operationally integrated intensive care units (ICU)-Mater Hospital Brisbane's (MHB) ICU and Mater Private Hospital's (MPH) ICU.
The two units are run by dedicated multi-disciplinary teams of critical care clinicians. We provide intensive care to critically ill patients in all Mater facilities in South Brisbane as well as being a tertiary referral centre for patients requiring intensive care from around Queensland and internationally.
Clinical services include:
- Mater ICU provides care to approximately 2000 critically ill patients each year.
- Advanced invasive and non-invasive ventilator support, cardiovascular monitoring and support, neuro-critical care, continuous renal replacement therapy and complex peri-operative care.
- Obstetric Critical Care Centre for critically unwell pregnant patients.
- Mater Robotic Surgery Program.
- Complex upper gastro-intestinal surgery including oesophagectomy and other cancer surgery.
- Collaboration with Mater Centre for Neurosciences and Brisbane Clinical Neuroscience Centre (BCNC) supporting patients undergoing surgery for brain tumours, Parkinson’s disease and complex epilepsies.
- Supporting Mater Medical Emergency Team (MET) and Code Blue/Cardiac Arrest Response Team.
Intensive Care Unit
Mater Hospital Brisbane
Level 5, Salmon Building
Raymond Terrace, South Brisbane QLD 4101
Intensive Care Unit
Level 7, Mater Private Hospital Brisbane
301 Vulture Street, South Brisbane QLD 4101
To contact the Mater ICU please phone 07 3163 8111 and ask to be put through to the desired location.
Mater Private Hospital Townsville
Our highly trained team of medical and nursing staff have extensive experience in delivering intensive care for patients, and providing the highest level of care. The Intensive Care Unit (ICU) is located on the second floor of the Pimlico Campus. It provides multidisciplinary care to a wide variety of critically ill patients in a highly technological, yet individualised and compassionate environment.
Health areas covered by this unit include:
Neurosurgical
Orthopaedics
Complex respiratory management
Sepsis
Oncology
Cardiac surgery
Renal failure
Post-operative management
Infectious diseases
Multiple organ failure
Obstetrics
The ICU is affiliated with James Cook University and provides the latest in care facilities and standards. The ICU is engaged in post-graduate nursing and medical education. It operates according to the Mater Private Hospital Townsville Patient-Centred Care Strategy - providing individualised patient care in an environment that respects patient wishes and observes each patient’s desires for privacy, compassion and family involvement.
For visitors
For our Intensive Care Unit (ICU) patients, visiting is restricted to people the patient considers to be immediate family. Children under the age of 16 are encouraged not to visit the ward, however if appropriate, may be able to after discussion with clinical staff.
Visiting hours for ICU are between 11am to 1.30pm and 3.30pm to 6pm, seven days a week.
Please note, to ensure patients have adequate rest and recovery periods, we promote a rest period between 1.30pm and 3.30pm.
We acknowledge that this can be a stressful time for families, so please do not hesitate to ask any questions of your care team.
Mater Private Hospital Townsville
25 Fullham Road, Pimlico QLD 4812
Ph: 07 4727 4444
Mater Private Hospital Rockhampton
The Close Observation Unit is a 6-bed Unit that offers services for cardiac, seriously ill and major post-operative patients. All of these beds are designated to provide additional monitoring capacity for cardiac patients and increased medical and nursing support.
For visitors
Visiting hours for the Close Observation Unit are between 9am to 1pm and 3.15pm to 8pm, seven days a week.
Please note, to ensure patients have adequate rest and recovery periods, we promote a rest period between 1pm and 3.15pm.
We acknowledge that this can be a stressful time for families, so please do not hesitate to ask any questions of your care team.
Mater Private Hospital Rockhampton
Ward Street, Rockhampton QLD 4700
Ph: 07 4931 3297
History and Timeline
The concept of an intensive care unit (ICU) and the specialty of intensive care medicine first started in Copenhagen, Denmark in the 1950s during the polio epidemic.
In the 1970s, a coronary care/high dependency unit was established in the old Mater Private Hospital (Augbigny Building). By 1983, the 5-bed unit was capable of providing mechanical ventilation to support patients undergoing neurosurgical and vascular procedures, among others.
