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Transition – Moving to Adult Health Care

Leah Lonsdale

Transitioning from paediatric health care (eg RCH - the Royal Children's Hospital) to the adult health care system may sometimes be stressful for the young person and/or their parents. The RCH web site has a special section just for transition, including information for the young person, the parent/s and for health care professionals. Thanks to he RCH Transition team for allowing us to reprint information from their web site. To find out more, visit http://www.rch.org.au/transition or speak with your health care provider.

What is Transition?

Transition is a process RCH (Royal Childrens Hospital) patients go through which leads to the event of a transfer to an adult health care service.
Transition is a co-ordinated process involving all departments in the patients care and treatment.
It is gradual process, beginning in early adolescence and is (usually) completed around 18 - 19 years of age.
Transition can be a major milestone in the life of the patient and their family. As with other transitions in life, such as from high school, it should be coordinated and planned well in advance, in close consultation with the young person. This will serve to minimize unnecessary upheaval for the young person and ensure their participation and engagement with adult health care providers.

Why do we need to transfer patients to adult health services?

In recent years, there has been an increasing number of adolescents with chronic illness surviving well into adulthood worldwide due to advances in medical care and improvements in technology.
The continuity of care must be provided to prevent young people dropping out of the adult health care system.
Paediatric hospitals are not physically set up to look after adults. Equipment and care is designed for smaller, younger people.
Paediatric facilities and expertise might not be adequately prepared to look after the psychosocial needs of a young person/ adult on the ward.

What are the differences between child and adult health care services?

There are some noticeable differences between paediatric and adult health care. Despite some little differences, your care and support in the adult hospital should remain the same.

transition chart

Transition Resources

For Young People
http://www.rch.org.au/transition/patients.cfm

Booklet containing transition information
Health Care Skills Checklist
My Health Passport
Lists of Melbourne and Rural Health Care Service Locations, for both public and private services
Medicare information

For Parents
http://www.rch.org.au/transition/parents.cfm

Frequently asked questions
How parents can help prepare for transition
Health Care Skills Checklist
Easy Steps in Transition and Transfer to Adult Care
Parents and self care

Royal Children's Hospital Transition Project Officer
Responsibility of this position is currently being assumed by Hospital Demand Management Team (HDM). Please contact a staff member in HDM if you have any queries about transition.

Rowena Clift, Demand Manager Ph: 9345 4829
Paula Howard, Project Officer Ph: 9345 4559 (Mon, Tues, Wed)
Lisa Stephens, Project Officer Ph: 9345 6169 (Mon and Thurs)

For more information on anything you’ve read here, please contact Penny or Leah in the GSNV office on (03) 8341-6315.