At around 18 years of age, young people with CF in WA will transition their health care from Perth Children’s Hospital (PCH) to Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital (SCGH). The aim of transition is to help you become more independent and responsible for your own health care before moving to an adult healthcare service.
CFWA Support
CFWA can assist with the process by offering information and support to you and your parents during the transition process. We have a transition support subsidy to help with the cost of attending hospital appointments or admissions by providing $50 for the first two visits to SCGH. We can also offer a transition care pack and support and guidance as needed.
Contact our psychosocial team on services@cfwa.org.au or on 08 6224 4100 for further support or information.
Stages of Transition
The transition process includes three stages; planning, preparing and moving. PCH start the transition process early, having conversations and assessing knowledge from around 12 years of age.
- Introductory Stage: 12-14 years. Introduction to the transition process and working out what your young person needs to know about themselves and their medical condition.
- Preparation Stage: 14-16 years. Your young person starts learning the skills needed to care for themselves and a transition plan is developed in partnership with your young person and yourself.
- Transfer Stage: 16-18 years. Your young person is looking after themselves with confidence, is ready to transfer and information exchange takes place between your young person’s health team at PCH and adult health services.
Transition Resources
PCH have some great resources for adolescents and their families about the transition process:
- Transition to Adult Care- A Guide for families and carers (CF UK Trust)
- CFStrong- Moving to adult care
- Supporting your young person through transition to adult health services (CAHS)
- Differences between paediatric and adult health care (CAHS)
- A resource for adolescents (CAHS)
- Useful resources for transition (CAHS)
- Useful tips for transition (CAHS)
This film “Transition to Adult Care” shares young people’s perspectives on their transition experience.