Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: The transition of a young person from child to adult services should be a purposeful and planned person-centred process that starts before the formal transfer of care occurs. In chronic long-term disorders such as Diabetes, this becomes more challenging and demanding. The period of transition coincides with a critical time of biopsychosocial change for a young person as they mature from a child to young adult. It is important to ensure the transition planning is developmentally appropriate and considers each young person’s capabilities, needs and hopes for the future. During the process of transition, young people should feel empowered to take responsibility for their health through adequate health education, health promotion and manage their underlying condition individually. In young people with Diabetes, this includes making them confident in looking after themselves with the aim of maintaining the best glycaemic control independently. To make this transition successful, Paediatric and Adult Diabetes services should be co-ordinated to support the young person and their family to provide a transition that will establish life-long healthy behaviours for all young people with Diabetes and prevent their disengagement from services that can result in detrimental long-term outcomes. We designed a Survey to look at our Transition services in Chesterfield Royal Hospital from patients’ perspective and to obtain their feedback to improve the transition process further and identify any challenges faced by the patients during their transition from Paediatric Diabetes to Young adult services.

Methods: Total 40 patients were invited to fill the survey form, involving questions about transition services in general, Dietitian support and psychological support provided during the transition process. We also asked for any additional feedback from the patients who had transitioned from Paediatric to Young adult Diabetes services that would make the whole process better.

Results and Recommendations: We received 8 responses. Majority (83-50%) of patients were satisfied with Dietician and Psychology services and Transition services in general. 57% patients described the continuity of care as excellent, with suggestions to improve communication, waiting times and early meetings with their adult nurse and doctor. We recommended further surveys in coming years and an audit on communication.