Staffing Intensive Care Units across Australia and New Zealand requires a highly skilled and diverse workforce due to the complexity and intensity of critical care. These professionals play a crucial role in ensuring that patients receive the highest level of care, often in life-threatening situations.

Australia

• Doctors/Intensivists: Approximately 2,000 intensivists (specialist doctors in critical care) work across Australia. These doctors are responsible for overseeing patient care and often work in shifts to ensure 24/7 coverage in ICUs. Their expertise is essential for managing complex medical conditions and coordinating multidisciplinary teams.
• Nurses: ICU nurses are the largest group of workers, with an estimated 10,000–12,000 nurses trained specifically in intensive care. Depending on the severity of a patient’s condition, the nurse-to-patient ratio typically ranges from 1:1 to 1:2, reflecting the need for constant, close monitoring. This substantial nursing workforce is vital to maintaining ICU operations.
• Allied Health Professionals: Supporting the doctors and nurses are around 2,000 – 3,000 allied health professionals including respiratory therapists, physiotherapists, dietitians, and pharmacists. These specialists contribute to the multidisciplinary approach that is essential in ICUs, providing critical expertise in areas like respiratory care, nutrition, and medication management.

New Zealand

• Doctors/Intensivists: With a smaller critical care sector, New Zealand employs around 200–300 intensivists who provide expert care for critically ill patients, ensuring around-the-clock oversight and decision-making in ICUs.
• Nurses: There are approximately 1,500–2,000 ICU-trained nurses in New Zealand. As in Australia, these nurses maintain a similar nurse-to-patient ratio, ensuring that patients receive the necessary intensive care and monitoring required in critical situations.
• Allied Health Professionals: New Zealand’s ICUs are supported by about 500–700 allied health professionals who, like their counterparts in Australia, provide essential services that complement the work of doctors and nurses, enhancing patient outcomes through a team-based approach.