Transition Coordinator for Children and Young People
All young people with long term health needs will require a transfer of care from children’s services into an equivalent adult service. This transition will occur at an agreed and age-appropriate time for that individual. The relevant adult service will be determined via discussions between the young people, their families/carers and the Paediatric Consultant and/or Clinical Nurse Specialist. Adult healthcare services will often be provided either via transfer back to the care of the GP; or via onward referral into the Acute Adult Services at Russell’s Hall Hospital, or referral to other Specialist Centres.
Role of Transition Coordinator for Children and Young People
My role involves working closely with the Paediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist Team; Learning Disability Team and Paediatric Consultants, as well as liaising with Adult services; with the aim of providing a smooth transition process from children’s to adult services. The relevant process is determined and undertaken on an individual basis, for those young people with long-term health conditions, and is initiated by the health professional with whom they have the most frequent contact and/or most effective relationship to ensure they feel as comfortable and supported as possible when discussing their transition arrangements. Parents/carers remain involved in this process; to a degree which depends on the individual young person’s abilities and wishes. We generally use Ready Steady Go programme; with the aim of commencing Ready at the age of 14 years, Steady at 15years, Go at 16years. The Ready, Steady. Go programme involves a series of checklists used to prompt discussions and empower young people to understand their own conditions, medication and promoting good healthy lifestyle choices. A good transition process encourages good compliance with treatment, better engagement with health services and improved successful self - management.
For young people with complex needs we can implement alternative methods; again depending on their individual needs, which health professional will discuss with them during their clinic appointments.
Some specialities undertake joint clinics involving both the Paediatric Team and Adult Services. This enables the young person and their family/carer(s) to meet the Adult Team alongside an already familiar Paediatric Team. This process aims to support the young person and their family/carer(s); enabling them to feel comfortable when talking to the Adult Team, and asking any questions they have.
where I am based
I am based in the Safeguarding Hub at Russell’s Hall Hospital. I liaise predominantly with Children’s Outpatient Department and the Children’s Ward; however I can be contacted by staff members in any of the Adult Services, when support is required in their areas.