In health care, the word transition describes the process of preparing, planning and moving a young person from children’s to adult health services.
Moving away from a team of therapists, doctors or nurses that you have been with for many years can be daunting for parents, carers and some young people, but your health teams will endeavour for you to have continuity of support throughout the move from children’s to adult services.
Planning from year 9 (age 13 to 14)
Transition to adult services should be a gradual process with discussions starting no later than Year 9 (age 13 or 14) in school. For young people with who receive additional help at school through SEN Support and for those who have an Education Health and Care plan (EHCP) this discussion should form a part of the review of their SEN support or Annual Review of EHCP meeting.
Discussions about a young person’s health support or needs should not be a single conversation but an ongoing process that allows the young person to be prepared. It is important for parents, carers and the young person to think about their health needs and how they can stay healthy as they enter adulthood.
These discussions might include:
- how to have a healthy lifestyle; advice about weight/diet/exercise/alcohol consumption, legal and illegal substances /smoking
- how to manage health needs, when to seek advice from a pharmacy, a GP or the 111 service
- when to go to a hospital Accident and Emergency department
- understanding prescribed medication and the ongoing management of medication
- help and advice about relationships and sexual health
- information to share with doctors and nurses
Learning disability (LD) health check
Young people and some adults with learning disabilities can have difficulty in recognising illness, communicating their needs and using health services independently. Regular health checks can detect treatable illnesses and help to prevent more serious ones, and they can help to familiarise the young person with the GP practice.
Free annual health checks are available to everyone with a confirmed learning disability from the age of 14, and will involve a visit to the doctor’s surgery to see a GP or a nurse who will:
- carry out a general physical examination (weight, heart rate, blood pressure etc.)
- assess your emotional wellbeing and behaviour
- ask questions about your lifestyle and diet
- review currently prescribed medication
- check whether any chronic illnesses, such as asthma or diabetes, are being well managed
- review arrangements with other health professionals, e.g., physiotherapists or speech and language therapists
The annual health check is a great chance for a young person to get used to visiting the doctor’s surgery. It may also be a good opportunity to review any transition arrangements for the move to adult health services.
Information gathered through this health check can be included as a printed report. Your GP will be able to advise you about this.
More information about annual health checks can be found on the NHS website and on our Local offer health support pages.