Improving care for young people transitioning to adults' services

The QNI has launched a new online learning resource to improve nursing care for young people who are in the ‘transition’ process from children’s services to adult community services.

The learning resource includes a short video recording the views of young people in transition and of practitioners working in the field.

The resource is a key outcome of a two year project, led by Queen’s Nurse Dr Candice Pellett OBE.

Candice commented:

“Young people who are born with, or who have been diagnosed with a long term health condition during childhood, are supported by dedicated children’s services, working with their parent(s) or guardian(s). Once people reach young adulthood, they normally need to transition to adult health services. This process can be stressful and confusing for young people and their families, if for example there are gaps in communication or lack of joined up working. This can lead to gaps in care delivery and adverse health impacts.

“The new resource has been developed following an in depth consultation process with nurses, educators, young people and parents. The resource is designed to help nurses understand the issues that young people (and their families) face, improving practice in this key area and the experience of young patients.”

To produce the resource, the QNI held ten focus groups in different parts of the country and conducted three online surveys, as well as undertaking wider stakeholder involvement. In all, the views of around 900 people were used to inform the resource.

The QNI also carried out a review of academic literature in this area, which is also available on the QNI’s website. The literature review confirmed that there is currently a dearth of knowledge in this specific area.

It is hoped that the new online resource will help to share and embed good practice in transition from children’s to adults’ community health services.

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

1. The QNI’s Transition of Care Programme is funded by The Burdett Trust for Nursing over two years.

2. Dr Candice Pellett OBE has been a District Nurse and Practice Educator for over 20 years and her passion is palliative and end of life care. She became a Queen’s Nurse in 2007 and was a member of the Transforming Community Services Board at the Department of Health before becoming seconded as Clinical Lead for Nursing on the TCS Programme. She represents several national groups and was also a member of the Prime Minister’s Nursing and Care Quality Forum. Candice was awarded the OBE in 2014 for “Services to Nursing and Healthcare”.

3. Candice was assisted throughout by a young person who had experienced the transition to adult services, Hannah Phillips.

4. For interviews, photographs or further information about the project, please contact the QNI.