Transition to adult health services

Overview

Transition refers to the planned move from paediatric health services to adult health services.

Your General Paediatrician or Neurologist will usually be responsible for your medical care up to the age of 16.

At this time you will need to consider a transition to Adult Health Services. The process of transitioning may start earlier than 16 years to ensure a smooth transition over an extended period and should be completed by the age of 18.

You may be referred to your General Practitioner or an Adult Neurologist for your future adult healthcare. Please discuss this process with your treating Doctor.

There are two different agencies in NSW that have been created to help adolescents transition from paediatric to adult healthcare.

 

 

Checklist

We have created a number of resources designed to enhance your knowledge about epilepsy and issues such as the importance of medication adherence, driving rules for people with epilepsy, drugs and alcohol, contraception and pregnancy, mood, travelling, and how to make wise choices and live well with epilepsy. 

You can use the checklist below to help you prepare for transitioning over time. The idea is to help you understand your medical condition and how to manage it before you are transferred from the children's healthcare system to the adult setting. This process is carried out over a number of years.

1. Understanding your own diagnosis

2. Understanding epilepsy

3. Understanding how the adult healthcare system works

  • Have a local GP you feel comfortable with.
  • Know the names and contact details for the clinicians you will transition to in the adult health service.
  • Have your own Medicare card, Health Care card, and know your private health insurance details.
  • Ask your paediatric doctor to assist with the transfer of your medical information to the adult treating clinician.

 

Transition Agencies

Trapeze is the specialist transition service for young people with chronic medical conditions who are known to the Sydney Children’s Hospital Network (i.e. Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick and Westmead Children’s Hospital).

  • They can assist you by helping to find a GP and arranging a GP Management Plan, providing health coaching and face-to-face support, and linking you to relevant support groups.
  • They can also provide telephone, email, and SMS reminders of your upcoming health-related appointments.
  • For more information on Trapeze, you can visit their website at www.trapeze.org.au

The Agency for Clinical Innovation (ACI) provides three Transition Care Coordinators across NSW who are based in adult hospitals and provide a state-wide service.

  • They can provide you with information and support (for at least 12 months) once you transfer from a paediatric to an adult healthcare setting.
  • They can help you find appropriate health services, provide support to help you attend your clinic appointments, and help you to stay in touch with adult health services.
  • Contact the Transition Care Coordinators

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Information last reviewed: 1/11/2022.

Resources

  • Trapeze (specialist transition service for young people with chronic medical conditions who are known to the Sydney Children’s Hospital Network): www.trapeze.org.au
  • The Agency for Clinical Innovation (ACI) provides three Transition Care Coordinators across NSW who are based in adult hospitals and provide a state-wide service: Contact the Transition Care Coordinators
  • Living Well With Epilepsy (educational video for teenagers and young adults - 10 mins).   
  • Epilepsy Education Videos for Teens (series of short educational videos covering: epilepsy, seizures, investigations, medications, seizure safety and first aid, and transitioning to adult heathcare).
  • Dravet syndrome: A quick transition guide for the adult neurologist: available here

 

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Information last reviewed: 1/11/2022.