Transition to Young Adult
The Transition to Young Adult Special Interest Group (SIG) brings together paediatric and adult kidney professionals and people with lived experience to improve care for young people and young adults.
The SIG focuses on the preparation for and transition into adult services, while recognising that young adult care extends beyond the point of transfer. Its work supports patient empowerment, shared decision-making, psychosocial support and better coordination between paediatric and adult kidney teams.
SIG Co-Chairs
Medical Co-Chair
MPT Co-Chair
What the SIG does
The SIG’s work includes:
- Strengthening collaboration between paediatric and adult kidney services
- Identifying and sharing effective approaches to transition and young adult care
- Supporting young people to participate in decisions about their treatment
- Developing practical information and resources for young people, families and kidney professionals
- Identifying gaps and variation in transition and psychosocial support
- Promoting consistent, developmentally appropriate care across kidney services
- Supporting service improvement through shared learning, data and patient feedback
Current work
The SIG is developing practical ways to help young people become familiar with adult kidney services before transfer. This includes coordinating meet-the-team videos and photo-based resources that services can adapt locally.
The group also supports closer working between paediatric and adult professionals to improve communication, planning and continuity.
Young people’s experiences and priorities inform the SIG’s work. The group is developing short videos, podcasts and answers to frequently asked questions on topics identified by young people.
This includes information to support conversations about treatment choices, dialysis, home haemodialysis and the move into adult services.
The SIG is mapping psychosocial support across UK kidney services to understand existing provision and identify gaps.
The group is also exploring how national and virtual support can complement local services for young people and their families, particularly where dedicated youth or psychosocial support is limited.
The SIG is developing adaptable resources to help young people communicate their needs beyond healthcare.
This includes template letters that can support conversations with schools, colleges, universities and employers about attendance, treatment and reasonable adjustments.