young people Resources

Urinary incontinence (UI) is among the most common paediatric problems and it is commonly assumed to resolve with age. Consequently, parents and clinicians often adopt a ‘wait and see’ approach to childhood UI (Berry, 2006). A significant proportion of children, however, continue to suffer from persistent UI into adolescence (Swithinbank et al, 1998; Hellstrom et al, 1995; Yeung et al, 2006; Heron et al, 2017). For example, the authors’ research using data from a large birth cohort (Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children — www.bristol.ac.uk/alspac/) found that 4.2% of females and 1.3% of males experienced UI at the age of 14 years (Heron et al, 2017).

Transition into adult services can be sudden and fragmented for young people with complex health needs. Yet, if the transition is a planned, coordinated process, the benefits can be life-long. Literature suggests that the quality of transition is variable and recommends community nurses take an active role within the process. To increase knowledge and awareness, a transition workshop was developed using the Queen’s Nursing Institute’s ‘Transition of Care’ tool, and delivered to the community specialist practitioner students at the University of Central Lancashire. The aim of the workshop was to raise awareness among the professional community groups in order to identify the challenges faced by young people, thus bringing together practitioners to promote collaborative working and leadership within this sphere of practice. Feedback following the workshop provided evidence of improved interprofessional working and a shift in perception, with historic ideologies being challenged. This article explores how implementing techniques to increase community nurses’ knowledge and awareness of transition improves the transition experience for the young person.