After a stay in intensive care, patients may suffer physiological after effects, such as muscle wasting, polyneuropathies, disturbed sleep, itching and poor mobility. The care that patients receive whilst on intensive care may contribute to the severity of some of these physical problems. Raising awareness amongst critical care nurses may help reduce the severity of some of the physiological after effects. Increased awareness amongst nurses on the wards about the physical impact of intensive care may lead to a greater understanding of the needs of this group of patients and may improve discharge planning.