Abstract
Background
There are 40,000 young people with complex health needs in the UK (Care Quality Commission, 2014). As these children reach adulthood, the need for them to transfer to adult services is crucial to ensure their wellbeing is supported. However, this is a long process that involves many multidisciplinary members. Therefore, communication and fluidity between everyone can become disjointed if not supported by a central character. The Transition Nurse (TN) is a fundamental pillar in the transition process, yet literature surrounding this role varies in comparison to the overarching guidelines.
Purpose
To raise awareness among health care practitioners of the gaps between guidance and reality in practice.
Methods
To conduct an integrative literature review to gather the recurring themes explaining what fundamental roles a TN has. Then compare findings to the guidelines to understand the requirements and gaps of a TN’s role. By using Pubmed, CINAHL, and Medline, 5 key papers were obtained. Guidelines were acquired from National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE, 2016).
Results
Three gaps crucial to the role of the TN were noted to be lacking in literature in comparison to the guidelines. These were: 1.Handing over to a named adult service staff member 2.GP support 3.Reviewing transition plan due to noncompliance within adult services.
Conclusions
To address these gaps, it is advised that:
1. Awareness is raised amongst adult services about the need for effective transfer of young people from child to adult services.
2. Contact with the GP should be made directly when the TN receives a child for transition and direct contact numbers exchanged.
3. Further research is needed into effectively reducing noncompliance within adult services.
Significance
To help challenge current thinking around transitioning and improving outcomes for CYP in our care.
There are 40,000 young people with complex health needs in the UK (Care Quality Commission, 2014). As these children reach adulthood, the need for them to transfer to adult services is crucial to ensure their wellbeing is supported. However, this is a long process that involves many multidisciplinary members. Therefore, communication and fluidity between everyone can become disjointed if not supported by a central character. The Transition Nurse (TN) is a fundamental pillar in the transition process, yet literature surrounding this role varies in comparison to the overarching guidelines.
Purpose
To raise awareness among health care practitioners of the gaps between guidance and reality in practice.
Methods
To conduct an integrative literature review to gather the recurring themes explaining what fundamental roles a TN has. Then compare findings to the guidelines to understand the requirements and gaps of a TN’s role. By using Pubmed, CINAHL, and Medline, 5 key papers were obtained. Guidelines were acquired from National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE, 2016).
Results
Three gaps crucial to the role of the TN were noted to be lacking in literature in comparison to the guidelines. These were: 1.Handing over to a named adult service staff member 2.GP support 3.Reviewing transition plan due to noncompliance within adult services.
Conclusions
To address these gaps, it is advised that:
1. Awareness is raised amongst adult services about the need for effective transfer of young people from child to adult services.
2. Contact with the GP should be made directly when the TN receives a child for transition and direct contact numbers exchanged.
3. Further research is needed into effectively reducing noncompliance within adult services.
Significance
To help challenge current thinking around transitioning and improving outcomes for CYP in our care.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Publication status | Published - 22 Aug 2022 |
| Event | 12th International Council of Nurses Nurse Practitioner / Advanced Practice Nursing Network Conference - University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland Duration: 21 Aug 2022 → 24 Aug 2022 https://npapndublin2022.com/ |
Conference
| Conference | 12th International Council of Nurses Nurse Practitioner / Advanced Practice Nursing Network Conference |
|---|---|
| Abbreviated title | ICN NP/APN |
| Country/Territory | Ireland |
| City | Dublin |
| Period | 21/08/2022 → 24/08/2022 |
| Internet address |