Transition from children to adult health services
Download (PDF 305.95 KB)Summary of report content
Healthwatch Bucks worked with Families and Carers Together Bucks, the designated clinical officer for special educational needs and disability at Buckinghamshire Council to develop a survey about gaps in health care provision when children move to adult health services. They heard from 33 young people in February and March 2024.
No one had been asked to complete the nationally recognised forms to move from child to adult services
Regardless of whether they were at the start, in the middle or at the end of the transition process, most parents/carers said they needed more support.
80% of respondents were dissatisfied with the transition/planning around the young person’s move to adult health services. Many did not feel included in the process.
70% of those yet to start the transition process did not know what to expect.
Where the young person had transitioned to adult services, around half felt the timing of the transition planning was about right. But only a third had attended any meetings to discuss transition.
70% of respondents whose young person was discharged from children’s health services (and not in receipt of adult health services) told us they did not know who to contact if the young person needed help as an adult.
Most of those who said they were satisfied, overall, with the move to adult health services, attended regular meetings, had a named person to support them and said the timing of the transition was about right for the young person involved.
60% of respondents said poor communication causes/caused the most concern.
Several parents of young people with capacity told us that they were frequently discharged rather than transitioned. Parents then needed to step in to involve adult services a few months later when support was required. This often concerned young people who are neurodivergent and/or need mental health support.
The report contains eight recommendations.