Young people transitioning to adult hospice services

Leaving a service that young people have received great care from as they reach adulthood can be daunting.

Wirral Hospice St John’s works closely with Claire House hospice to support young people who are transitioning into adult services.

Following an initial successful project to support a group of young adults with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, the transition work has been expanded to other young people who have been receiving care and support from Claire House.

Working closely with the young person and their family, or other carers, and with the Claire House team, young people are offered outpatient appointments, counselling, talking therapies and other services which may help with their lives outside the hospice.

Once a referral has been received from Claire House, young adults are typically seen by a consultant or senior doctor, alongside a familiar team member from Claire House, in a joint outpatient clinic.

This may include coordination of case conferences, support at meetings, home visits as well as ongoing clinical support.

Young adults can access our wellbeing services and families/carers can also benefit from support including complementary therapy and counselling.

Wirral Hospice St John’s and Claire House also facilitate bi-annual support groups for carers and parents of young adults to enable discussion and peer support.