Care during the transition from adolescence to adulthood
Increasingly, children with a life-limiting illness who would have died before the age of 18 years in the past are now living to adulthood (eg children with cystic fibrosis or Duchenne muscular dystrophy). Generally, around the age of 16 to 18 years, adolescents need to transition to adult services for provision of both healthcare and community support. Adolescents may be referred to an adult specialist palliative care service or to another care provider, if more appropriate (eg respiratory or other medical specialist, rehabilitation service). Ideally, the general practitioner has an established relationship with the young person, and can play a key role in assisting with the referral and transition to adult services.
Planning for the transition to adult services as early as possible allows time for the adolescent to establish relationships with their new healthcare professionals. Even when receiving adult healthcare services, many patients wish to maintain contact with their paediatrician.
For information about caring for adolescent patients, see Supporting adolescents with a life-limiting illness.