A Transition Guide for All Services - Transition Information Network

Leeds Young Adults TeamSince 1988 the Leeds Young Adults Team (YAT) has providedsupport and practical help to physically disabled young peopleaged between 16 and 25 to help them achieve the lifestyle theywant. The team is made up of physiotherapists, doctors and stafffrom clinical psychology, occupational therapy, family planning,speech and language therapy, and social work teams. Researchinto the effectiveness of the service found that, ‘Young disabledpeople given YAT services were 2.5 times more likely to participatein a range of activities than those given ad hoc support services –and cost-effectiveness analysis showed no difference betweenthese two forms of support.’ 32For more information about the Leeds Young Adults Team go towww.leedsyat.nhs.uk.Chapter 2: Overview of statutory servicesHealth services32 Bent N, Tennant A,Swift T, Posnett J,Scuffham P, ChamberlainM, ‘Team approachversus ad hoc healthservices for youngpeople with physicaldisabilities: aretrospective cohortstudy’, The Lancet,Volume 360, Issue 9342,pp 1280–6, N Bent,A Tennant, T Swift,J Posnett, P Scuffham,M Chamberlain42ProtocolsSome areas have developed clear, effective protocols to support disabledyoung people in their transition to using adult health services.BirminghamIn Birmingham transfer of young people with arthritis from thepaediatric to the adolescent clinic is flexible, depending on the patientand their illness, but usually occurs at 13–14 years. A further transfer toadult care occurs from age 16–18 years to the adult rheumatologist.Dedicated older adolescent/young adult rheumatology clinics havebeen developed at the City Hospital and Selly Oak Hospital which willfacilitate shared care in late adolescence.The rheumatology team will consider the key elements that havebeen identified for an effective transition programme and willensure they are incorporated into their departmental policies,business case planning and discussions with commissioners. Theneeds of parent(s)/guardians during transition will also beacknowledged and addressed. It should be noted that rheumatologyservices tend to be quite different from more general services, manyof which would not have the resources for this type of support.The transitional programme starts at age 11 and was developedfollowing an extensive needs assessment. Resources and toolsused in this programme are available on the team websitewww.dreamteam-uk.org.See Appendix 4 for example of a health transition pathway.Further examples of effective practice are available fromwww.transitioninfonetwork.org.uk.Quality standards checklistsChecklists B7, B8 and B9 in Appendix 6 highlight key activity in developingeffective service transfer.