Transition to Adult Care
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 the transition process is to help young people become more independent and responsible for their own health care before moving to an adult healthcare service.
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.
CFWA Support
CFWA can assist with the process by offering information and support to the individual transitioning and their parents/carers. Below is a list of the ways we can support a young adult transitioning from PCH to SCGH. To access theses services, simply get in touch at services@cfwa.org.au.
Hospital Transition Workshop
We host an annual online Hospital Transition Workshop, supported by members of both the PCH and SCGH CF teams. The workshop aims to educate teens and families about the upcoming transition process, answer common questions and discuss available supports to patients at SCGH.
We have a range of frequently asked questions from a previous workshop here.
Transition Support Subsidy
Transition Support Subsidy 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.
Transition Support Pack
Our Transition Support Pack is full of useful items and resources to assist with the transition process.
Transition Resources
- What is transition? (CAHS)
- Supporting your young person through transition to adult health services (CAHS)
- Differences between paediatric and adult health care (CAHS)
- Useful resources for transition (CAHS)
- Useful tips for transition (CAHS)
- Transition- A guide for regional teenagers (CF QLD)
- Moving to adult care personal stories (CFStrong)
- Tips changing from paediatric to adult care (cysticfibrosis.com)
This film “Transition to Adult Care” shares young people’s perspectives on their transition experience.