Ready, Steady, Go, Hello! Moving from Paediatric to Adult Services

Quality Improvement Poster Download

Background & Problem

It is important that we understand what it is like for a young person as they move from paediatric services to adult care. We worked with young people, their parents/carers and staff focusing on Diabetes, Renal, Rheumatology and Epilepsy pathways to gain an insight and understanding of what the transition process is like for the patients involved.

Aim

By March 2017 we will improve our understanding of the experience of 25% of young people transitioning from paediatric to adult services using the Ready, Steady, Go, Hello documentation.

Method

Shadowing is an observation technique with a third person recording what happens during a patient’s pathway. It involves witnessing everything the patient experiences, observing and recording each step of the process, and then seeking feedback from the patient at each point. This methodology was used in all patient interactions apart from 2. Due to a number of circumstances the 2 patients transitioning onto the Renal Go pathway were asked for retrospective telephone feedback.

Results

The findings from our work have been shared with the Transition Steering Group. Our work also contributed to meeting CQUIN requirements for 2016/17. Individual site specific reports have been shared with the relevant MDT’s, who are responsible for taking forward the identified actions. There are a number of patient experience feedback methodologies in place to enable teams to measure improvement.

The following were areas for consideration identified through our project:

• Timings of clinics and access to appointments
• The waiting room environment and resources for young people
• How we use the Ready, Steady, Go, Hello documentation
• Parking at CGH
• Nurse specialist from Paediatric team to attend ‘hello’ appointment
• Nurse specialist from Adult team to attend ‘Go’ appointment

Through observation and feedback from young people we are confident that changes and addition to existing care pathways will be of benefit to all groups involved. It will result in an overall improvement to the patient experience of the transition process.

Implications

Shadowing gives staff the opportunity to see the care experience through patient’s eyes and raises staff awareness of the patient experience, including what is working well and areas for further improvement. This approach has huge benefits and can be used to help improve the patient experience in a variety of settings across the Trust.