SummaryOver a period of one year, a weekly telephone survey identified 161 stable patients with weaning delay (defined as patients ventilated for at least 6 h per day for more than 2 weeks) in intensive care units in the Northern Region of England. Their median age was 69 years (range 21-88 years). Sixty patients (37%) were admitted with medical conditions, 89 (55%) were postoperative patients, whereas 12 (8%) were surgical but required non-operative admission. One hundred and thirty (89%) were weaned and discharged from the intensive care unit during the year. Twenty-two (14%) died and two were transferred to the home ventilation service. Seven patients remained ventilated in intensive care at the end of the study period. Twenty patients (12%) required more than 28 days of respiratory support. These patients occupied on average 6.0% of available intensive care unit beds in the region. This study suggests that in the Northern Region of England there are a significant number of stable but ventilator-dependent patients occupying intensive care beds.

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of infections and other pathologies they may experience. Even distant travel experiences may be relevant, and histoplasmosis should be borne in mind as it can remain latent in granulomas and recur years down the line. It is always worth reminding surgeons to send specimens for microbiological investigation. It is also worth persevering in the treatment of HIV of those who appear unable to comply-you never know what experiences might make them have a change of heart and behaviour!

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