What steps has the Welsh Government taken to ensure that children aged 16 to 18 years old do not fall between health services?
The transition and handover between children’s and adult healthcare services is a critical period for young people. It requires careful management to ensure continuity of care and services. In February 2022, we developed new guidance about the arrangements that should be in place in the NHS to ensure children and young people are supported and able to move between services in an inclusive and seamless way.
Our goal is to enhance and ensure co-ordination of the care provided to young individuals aged 16 to 25 during this time. The guidance covers the entire process – from pre-transition and handover planning to ongoing care – and aims to improve the overall experience for young people and their caregivers, especially using the transition and handover plan to share key information.
We expect health boards to underpin the guidance with robust governance arrangements and administrative processes and procedures. Following the initial two-year implementation period, we will evaluate the progress health boards have made in implementing the guidance.