Hertfordshire young people's health transition service
-
We aim to coordinate the transfer of health care from paediatric to adult services, for young people with complex physical health needs or with life limiting conditions throughout Hertfordshire. We will work collaboratively with education, health, and social care to achieve this and support a smooth transition into adult services.
We provide an individualised transition pathway for young people and their families depending on their needs. We act as a link between all services to encourage the best outcomes for our young people.
We acknowledge that every individual is different and that their pathway into adult services can change. We focus on the important milestones within transition that every young person will go through; this begins at 14 years where the transition pathway starts. At 19 years of age if the pathway is completed and the young person is fully established in adult services, we start discussions around discharging the young person from our service. However, if the pathway has changed and more support is needed, we will continue to provide transition support until the young person is 21 years old.
- Contact the service
- What will happen at your appointment
- Useful information
- Making a referral
- Patient experience
Contact the service
Tel: 01923 470680 (Option 1), Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
Email: hct.transitionherts@nhs.net
What will happen at your appointment
Between the ages of 14 to 21 young people usually have to make important decisions about their education; leave home; get a job and start having relationships. These decisions and changes can be both exciting and challenging. For disabled young people it can be a confusing and complicated time, as they often receive support from a number of different agencies, including health, social care services and education. Planning should start well in advance of leaving school, so that the young person’s needs and choices are fully explored.
Before the first home visit The Young People’s Health Transition Service will make a telephone contact to you to welcome you to the service. We will send out a welcome pack with information regarding transition and the support we will offer you and your family. During the first home visit The Young People’s Health Transition Service will complete an initial assessment which will outline the needs of the young person and support they require.
The main role of the transitional nurse coordinator is to facilitate and coordinate services during the transition process for young people with complex physical health needs or with life-limiting conditions and their families.
The young people’s health transitional service work closely with other services during transition such as:
- community doctors
- GPs
- children’s and adult health care professionals
- children’s and adult social care
- School nurses
- education
- Connexions
- short breaks and hospices
- commissioners
- community and voluntary services
Useful information
Hertfordshire County Council’s local offer pages — Information about services available in your local area for parents, children and young people aged 0-25 with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
Transition Information Network — A source of information for disabled young people, families and professionals.
Together for Short Lives — UK wide charity working to achieve the best possible quality of life and care for every child and young person who is not expected to reach adulthood.
Easyhealth — Health information that is easy to understand, learning difficulties, learning disabilities, easy read, simple language.
Skill — National Bureau for Students with Disabilities, promoting equality in education, training and employment for disabled people.
Scope — Charity organisation for disabled people to have same opportunities as everyone else.
Mencap — A comprehensive series of fact sheets about transition along with a range of support and training services.
Preparing for Adulthood — Information about transition.
Making a referral
Young people aged 14 to 21 years who are registered with a GP in Hertfordshire can be referred by any professional currently working with them.
If a referral does not meet the service referral criteria the referrer will be notified.
If you wish to find out if your referral is appropriate or if you have a general enquiry, please call the team.
Patient experience
We always like to receiver feedback and include some of the comments below:
- We would be lost without transition service, as services are not the same in adults as they are in children’s services.
-
Transition is delivered in bite size chunk make it so much easier for us understand and follow, we are always worried we will miss and important step.
-
Transition services are on top of everything, they are a great team and always willing to help. The fact they are at the end of the phone when we need them is fantastic.
-
The transition service have been amazing at navigating around a very complected system into adult service. It's nice just having someone to vent to
If you would like to share your story, please contact the Patient Experience team on 01707 388036 or email hct.patientexperienceteam@nhs.net
We would also love to hear about your experience on our service; please complete our survey with your feedback.
