Hepatology young persons and transition services

What is the young persons clinic?

The young persons clinic has been set up to make sure that you, as an individual, are prepared for the eventual transfer of your care to adult services.

This information resource is designed to guide you through the process and point you in the right direction in order to access help and support, when needed. The main topics that we will cover in your appointments are:

• the differences between paediatric and adult services
• managing your own health (medication, appointments, knowing about your condition)
• health, lifestyle and sexual health
• educational and vocational planning
• sources of advice and support

When will I be invited to attend the young persons clinic?

We aim to invite you for your first young persons appointment around the age of 12 years old. Normally this will be with an existing appointment that you have with Dr Nedelkopoulou. You may have to set aside little extra time for this.

We will continue to see you on a regular basis until you are ready to be transferred to adult services at around 16 years old. You will see the liver nurse specialist at this appointment who will explain the young persons process to you and your family. You will then be given the opportunity to see the nurse on your own.

What is transition?

Transition is a planned process that helps young people to move from the care of Sheffield Children’s, to the care given by the adult hospital. Transfer of care happens when this process has been completed.

The members of the Hepatology transitional team at Sheffield Children’s are:

• Dr Nedelkopoulou – Consultant Paediatric Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist
• Rhona Hubbard – Gastroenterology and Hepatology Clinical Nurse Specialist

The members of the adult Hepatology team at Royal Hallamshire Hospital are:

• Dr Salmon – Consultant Hepatologist
• Lisa Clemit-Shaw – Hepatology Nurse Specialist

How often to do transition clinics happen?

We currently run a liver transition clinic 2 times a year when the adult team will also be there. This is around November and July each year and is held at Sheffield Children’s.

What happens at the appointment?

You will be invited to attend this clinic when you are around 16 years of age, after talking about this with Dr Nedelkopoulou. Dr Nedelkopoulou and Rhona Hubbard from Sheffield Children’s, and Dr Salmon and Lisa Clemit-Shaw from the Royal Hallamshire Hospital will be there to see you.

This appointment is an opportunity for you and your family to meet the adult liver team who will be taking over your care. You can ask them any questions that you may have.

What happens next?

After the appointment at Sheffield Children’s, you will then be offered your first appointment at Royal Hallamshire Hospital in a transition clinic. At this transition appointment you will see Dr Salmon and Lisa Clemit-Shaw from the adult liver team and Rhona Hubbard from Sheffield Children’s. After this appointment all of your future appointments will then be with the adult liver team at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital.

What if I want to go to a different hospital?

If you would prefer your adult liver care be transferred to somewhere other than The Royal Hallamshire Hospital (for example to a hospital more local to you) then we are very happy to talk about this with you. We would still like to do the young persons process with you and then Dr Nedelkopoulou will write and refer you to your chosen hospital for adult services.

Outpatient clinics once you have been transferred

You will have attended Sheffield Children’s regularly for outpatient’s clinic appointments. Once you are transferred to adult services, the adult team will want to continue to review your disease and medications regularly.

At the Royal Hallamshire hospital, clinics will take place in the outpatients department and you may be seen by a specialist nurse or by a consultant. Like at the children’s, if you are unable to attend an appointment, it would be helpful to contact the appointments team at the adult hospital and re-arrange.

What happens if I become unwell between appointments?

Until you have had your first appointment at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital (or chosen adult hospital), you should contact the gastroenterology and hepatology nurses at the Sheffield Children’s for further advice on the number below. Once you have had your first appointment at the adult hospital, please contact them for any future advice.