^Objective_{To identify the nursing issues surrounding this expanding group of patients and to examine how we can plan our future service needs.}

^Background<sub>Currently adults who are undergoing complex corrective congenital surgery are admitted post operatively to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). However, with the number of adult congenital patients now greater than those in childhood, it has forced us to ask the question….

Is the PICU the most appropriate area of care for this expanding group of patients?</sub>


^Results
_{We examined our current practice and problems encountered by the adult congenital patient being cared for in the PICU. A series of issues were identified which impact on care delivered and include;
1) The experience and understanding of both nursing and medical staff.
2) The previous levels of training and the subsequent training needs.
3) The ethical implications.
4) The opportunity cost in the PICU of using PICU beds for adults.
5) The psychological implications for the patient and their families prior to their PICU admission.
6) Practical nursing issues.
7) The current national practices.}


^Conclusion
_{Clearly this is a highly complex group of patients with specific needs and requirements. As a team of motivated, innovative and dynamic practitioners we must learn from the issues we identified. We need to reflect on and develop our current practice to continue to provide the best nursing, medical, psychological and emotional care for both our patients and their families in the most appropriate clinical area.}