GPICS Version 3 Consultation

The Society in collaboration with the Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine (FICM) have been working to update the Guidelines for the Provision of Intensive Care Services (GPICS). The consultation period for Version 3 (V3) is now open and we would value your feedback on the proposed changes.

The consultation draft can be viewed here.

The closing date for comments is 9am on Wednesday 25 June.

Important information

• Feedback will be collected via the survey link below
• There are separate boxes for each chapter, and a general comments box at the end.
• Where possible, please include the line number(s) relevant to your comment.
• Please note this is not a final proofed and formatted version, this will be done for the final document.

CLICK HERE TO COMPLETE THE GPICS V3 FEEDBACK SURVEY

Summary of the key changes

Over the last decade GPICS has become the definitive reference source for the planning, commissioning and delivery of adult intensive care services in the UK. Version 3 has undergone significant review and revision, based on feedback received on previous versions, updated evidence, changing NHS landscape, and lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic. While more information on these changes can be found in the introduction (see page 6 of the consultation draft) the key changes are summarised below:

• Standards are now defined as minimum standards. A minimum standard is something we expect all ICUs to meet, or to record on a risk register if unmet. Minimum standards serve as essential safety markers. They are ‘must do’ statements and a great deal of work has gone into ensuring all minimum standards are realistic, important and deliverable.
• Recommendations are now defined as recommendations to provide a quality service. They act as quality markers. They are ‘should do’ statements, the hallmarks of what a high-quality intensive care service should look like and as such they can be used as a means to drive improvement. Quality indicators are often aspirational and sometimes challenging to achieve, as they may involve action across the whole hospital, healthcare organisation or even wider systems. Nevertheless, it is the intention of the FICM and ICS that these recommendations to provide a quality service should reflect routine practice within UK ICUs.
• Background is now defined as background and explanation acknowledging that more information is sometimes required to interpret a given standard or recommendation. To that end, the background and explanation section contains not only background information and additional explanation as the name suggests but also examples and extrapolations, that can help interpret a standard or recommendation.
• The editorial process has been expanded with the introduction of an Editorial Board, including representatives from all four nations and lay representatives; Section Editors who worked with the Lead Editors in choosing authors and editing chapters; and an EDI Lead to ensure GPICS V3 meets the needs of all those working in intensive care.