Symposium 6: Young people, artificial nutrition and transitional care. Transition in young people on home parenteral nutrition

Abstract

Pharmacological, surgical and technological advances have resulted in children now surviving through adolescence into adulthood with conditions that were previously unseen by adult services. Arranging transition for young people on home parenteral nutrition (HPN) to the adult sector is one of greatest challenges for health services that care for young people. Transition is not only a key quality issue for health services, but is a multidimensional process covering psychosocial, educational and vocational aspects. Poorly-planned transition may result in difficulties when young people access adult specialist services. As a consequence, there may be increased risk of non-adherence or lack of follow-up, which carries dangers of morbidity and mortality as well as poor social and educational outcomes. Transition does not end at the exit from the paediatric clinic, but continues into the adult sector, which needs to provide developmentally-appropriate clinical care. Recent Department of Health initiatives are aimed at ensuring that young people do not miss out on healthcare during the transfer between paediatric and adult services. Transfer can be a major, often daunting, event for young people. Parents may also fear transfer and need to learn to 'let go' of some control, which may be particularly difficult with a young person on HPN.