Intensive-care unit nurse Chris Goodall can spend 11 hours a day with patients who have no idea he is even there.

Because they're often comatose, Mr Goodall attends to the patients' medical needs but also talks to them about the outside world. He'll often pull up a chair and read them the paper.

Nurse Chris Goodall (left) and former patient James Aitken reunited at the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital. Credit:Kristian Silva

Mr Goodall reassures them that despite their terrible injuries, they are now receiving the best possible care.

"You're going to be all right, chief" is one of the phrases he uses most.