Transition planning - health

As young people mature, their needs and preferences change. Some young people may have health needs which require support from children’s health teams who also work with their parent(s) or carer(s). As young people grow older, the models of care used to support them may change. This process can be stressful and confusing for young people and their families. To help prepare for this, it's important that transition planning starts early, preferably before the age of 14.

Support and information should be provided for young people before, during and after their transition. Young people and their parent/carers should be able to ask questions, give opinions and make decisions. 

Healthcare teams usually start talking to young people and their parent/carers about their health needs and transition to adulthood around the time of their 14th birthday. This allows plenty of time for gradual planned transition or to develop an understanding of future support options. Each health service should have their own transitions process in place.

Health pathway information

Diabetes

Children and young people with type 1 and 2 diabetes remain on the paediatric team's caseload until their 19th birthday. Young people will then be referred to the most appropriate adult diabetes service, whether that be a GP, community diabetes nurse, or a hospital diabetes nurse depending on their diabetes type, diagnosis and treatment plan (eg insulin injections/insulin pumps).

Wheelchair and Posture Service

When you turn 18 years old, the same service rolls forward and into adulthood. You’ll deal with the same team of clinicians and have the same contacts, and access/changes of equipment will be dealt with as required.