Article: Preparing young people with complex needs and their families for transition to adult services

This article discusses the needs and requirements for planned and purposeful transition processes to support young people and their families. It considers the preparation of adult services, the team, the young person and their parents in line with an integrated approach and the nurses' role.

O'Connell, A. & Petty, J. 2019.  Preparing young people with complex needs and their families for transition to adult services.  Nursing Children & Young People, 31 (1) p 25 - 31.


Contact the library for a copy

Report: Will anyone listen to us? What matters to young people with complex health needs during transition

New to the EACH Library, this 2015 Scottish report provides details on the use of  Talking Mats to communicate and find out the views and experiences of young people, and their families on the transition to adult healthcare services.  An appendix lists the symbols used in the project.

NHS Scotland and CEN, 2015. Will anyone listen to us? What matters to young people with complex and exceptional health needs and their families during health transition.  Talking Mats.

Available to download

Article: Evaluation of a pilot service to help young people with life-limiting conditions transition from children's palliative care services

A 2 year project was developed to try to aid transitioning which involved a day service, with occasional overnight trips.  Three focus groups made up of young people, their parents and staff were set up to evaluate the project.  All groups agreed that the project had a positive impact on young people and their families and all were keen for the project to continue. 

Hutcheson, S. et al. 2018. Evaluation of a pilot service to help young people with life-limiting conditions transition from children's palliative care services.  International Journal of Palliative Nursing 24 (7) p 322 - 332.

Contact the library for a copy

Web Site: My adult - still my child

My Adult - Still My Child web site has been developed following feedback from parents of young people who attended the Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young People, and faced real challenges around continued decision-making for their children once they reached adulthood.  The web site is aimed at those new to making Best Interest Decisions and very useful for staff working with young people in hospices and needing to be knowledgeable about key areas.  It covers legal issues, an A-Z jargon buster and Frequently Asked Questions

Guidance: A checklist to a good transition

Produced by Together for Short Lives, the check list has been designed for seriously ill young people to assess how well agencies involved in their education and care are working together to enable a smooth transition. In particular, the checklist focuses on enabling young people to play an active role in planning and decision-making, whilst acknowledging the ongoing role parents and carers will likely play in their care.

Together for Short Lives, 2018.  A checklist to a good transition.

Available to download here

[Electronic Article] The challenges faced when leaving a children's hospice

This article describes the difficulties experienced by Children's Hospices Association Scotland (CHAS) in assisting a young man in his transition from children's services to adult services and fulfil his wish to live independently with care staff to support him.

O'Connor, J. 2014.  The challenges faced when leaving a children's hospice. Nursing Children and Young People, 26 (1) p 8 - 10.

You can request this article from the library or download yourself using your Athens username and password.

To request a copy from the library click here, fill in form and return to library. To access electronically, click here, log in using your Athens username and password and search via the BNI database

[Report] The role of hospices in supporting young people in transition from children to adult services

Published in October 2013, the report considers the key role that adult and children's hospices have in ensuring a smooth transition for young adults who need their services, as they reach adulthood.

Lidstone, V. 2013.  The role of hospices in supporting young people in transition from children to adult services.  Help the Hospices.

To download report click here, also available on loan from library

[Report] Making a difference for young adult patients: practice prompts from research

Here we present key messages from the study - exploring direct experiences of young adult patients with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions as they move into adult health care. It provides a unique insight into how small changes in practice can make a real difference to the experiences of young adults. As a completely portable and resilient resource, it is recommended that this guide is used to provide helpful prompts for dealing with situations and questions that commonly arise when treating a young adult patient with palliative care needs.

Beresford, B. 2013.  Making a difference for young adult patients: practice prompts: key messages from research.  Together for Short Lives. 

Click here to access report.  Also available on loan from the library

[Article] Jacksplace - a hospice dedicated to teenagers and young adults in Hampshire

Jacksplace in Hampshire is only one of 3 purpose built hospices for teenagers and young people in the UK.  The article looks at it's development, some initial problems  encountered with the recruitment of adult palliative care nurses, and the issues involved in supporting teenagers and parents from a children's hospice to an adult care setting.

Brook, J. 2013. Jacksplace - a hospice dedicated to teenagers and young adults in Hampshire.  European Journal of Palliative Care, 20 (6) p 277 - 230.

To request a copy, click here, fill in form and return to library.