GPs should be more involved in the transition process for teenagers with long-term health needs, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) has claimed.
A report released by the health sector regulator shows that young people with disabilities do not always receive the necessary care and support during the transition to adult services.
However, guidance on the process has been available for the past ten years.
Chief inspector of general practice, Professor Steve Field, said there is “no excuse” for providers to “ignore” the guidance.
He said: “It is unacceptable that young people and their families are being excluded from planning and decision-making about their care and for them to be without essential services or equipment temporarily, while arrangements are resolved.”
CQC has set four priorities for action:
1. Commissioners and providers must listen to, involve and learn from young people and their families about what they want from their care.
2. Existing national guidance must be followed so that young people are appropriately supported through their transition.
3. GPs should be more involved, and at an earlier stage, in planning for transition.
4. Services must be tailored to meet the needs of young people transferring from children’s health services and include extra training for healthcare staff, such as community nurses, in caring for young people.
Professor Field has written a blog post exploring the report in more detail, which is available on the Management in Practice website.
