Youth Transition Project

Waikato DHB

As the project manager for this Waikato DHB project Andrea Mockford, who is the nurse co-ordinator for child and youth health is keen to ensure that local young people/rangatahi and parents/caregivers are aware of the project and its progress.

The aim is to develop a youth health care transitional model that will prepare and support young people/rangatahi (aged 12 to 19 years) with long term health conditions in their ‘transition’ from our paediatric to adult health care services at Waikato hospital and the local rural hospitals).

Developing a model for youth transition is about providing a planned, coordinated and individualised approach to their healthcare that supports young people and their parents/caregivers.

In late 2009 a project group was formed with representatives from the paediatric and adult care areas, the child development centre, Te Puna Oranga (Maori Health Service), primary care, true colours, rainbow place, the parent to parent organisation and the Waikato palliative care strategy group. This project group provide the guidance and expertise towards the youth transition model development.

“The need to develop a model or approach to youth transitional health care for the DHB has been well recognised. It is really great to see this moving ahead” says Andrea.

A background report has now been completed, including a literature review, with an overview of current service delivery and a look at some of the national and international youth health transition models out there.

The project group have been developing best practice standard guideline for youth transitional health care for Waikato DHB health services to use. Consultation with local young people, parents and caregivers and staff (across sectors) involved with /affected by transitional care is really important to the guideline development process.

The DHB guideline needs to be completed by the end June. It is anticipated that there will be then be the further development of youth transition resources i.e. checklists, transitional plans, and web-based information, to support the transitional care of young people.

Seeking feedback – consultation in May
The opportunity to survey Waikato based parents/caregivers and young people to have a say around the draft best practice standards is planned for May. Andrea is keen for your input and invites local parent/caregivers and any young person to contact her for either further information and/or to be personally sent the survey.

I can be contacted either on mobile 021 359 580 or via email mockfora@waikatodhb.govt.nz

Kindest regards

Andrea Mockford
Nurse co-ordinator: child & youth health
Waikato DHB