Critical care may save our lives, but we need support and rehabilitation to give those lives back to us

ICU Rehab Day 2026: Celebrating recovery, championing rehabilitation, and empowering patients after critical illness

ICUsteps, the Intensive Care Society (ICS), Lifelines and the British Association of Critical Care Nurses are proud to mark ICU Rehab Day 2026, a national celebration of recovery after critical illness and a call to action for healthcare teams, patients, families and communities to prioritise structured, goal-oriented rehabilitation.

Every year, thousands of people leave intensive care facing physical, cognitive, emotional and social challenges that can last months or even years. Rehabilitation is essential.

ICU saves the body, but rehabilitation saves the person.

ICU Rehab Day 2026 highlights the importance of personalised goal setting, community support, and accessible rehabilitation resources that will help people recover better and faster. This year’s campaign launches new tools, shares patient stories, and provides practical guidance to help people take their first steps toward recovery from critical illness.

Small goals matter. Whether it’s brushing your hair, making a cup of tea, walking to the door, or hugging your grandchild. Every small step counts.

New rehabilitation resources launching on 21 October 2026

This year we are proud to launch the Your Recovery Goals resource co-produced and led by Professor Louise Rose and her team, offering patients and clinicians a structured, evidence-based approach to setting meaningful rehabilitation goals.

The resource will be available via ICUsteps, Lifelines, the BACCN and the Intensive Care Society websites.

Downloadable tools we are promoting include:

  • My Rehab Goals sheet for patients and clinicians
  • Rehab One-Page Plan to get you started on the rehab journey
  • Bedside goal-setting templates so you can have support
  • Patient and clinician videos on goal setting and the benefits

These resources support rehabilitation across all domains, including physiotherapy, speech and language therapy, nutrition, gait rehabilitation and cognitive recovery.

Why goal setting matters

Goal setting provides direction, motivation and a sense of achievement. It helps patients track progress, build confidence and stay engaged in their recovery.

The NCEPOD 2025 report on Rehabilitation Following Critical Illness emphasised goal setting as a key opportunity to improve outcomes and reduce long-term disability.

How to get involved

For ICU, ward and community teams:

  • Download and use the My Rehab Goals templates from 21 October 2026
  • Follow and promote #MyRehabGoals
  • Display rehab goals in clinical areas
  • Use the one-page rehab plan in MDT meetings and give your patients a copy
  • Share patient milestones online using #ICURehabDay2026
  • Organise local rehab activities or challenges
  • Order inflatable footballs for rehab engagement

For Patients and families

  • Set and track your personal rehab goals
  • Download the My Rehab Goals sheet from 21 October 2026
  • Share your story or milestone with ICUsteps
  • Take part in local rehab activities
  • Celebrate every achievement - big or small!

For the public

A national movement for better rehabilitation

ICUsteps is proud to be part of:

  • The National Post-Intensive Care Rehabilitation Collaborative (ICS)
  • The Community Rehabilitation Alliance, representing over 50 organisations committed to improving rehabilitation access and commissioning

Together, we champion the message: Rehab is everything. Recovery doesn’t end at ICU discharge - it begins there.