10th June 2024
A regional pathway has been established to help young people with type 1 diabetes transition smoothly to adult services for their diabetes treatment and care.
There are almost 115,000 people in Northern Ireland living with diabetes. Within adults living with diabetes, approximately 9% are living with type 1 diabetes. Approximately 98% of children diagnosed with diabetes are living with type 1 diabetes.
The Regional Young Adults’ Progression Pathway, which was co-produced with stakeholders, aims to ensure that all young people living with diabetes have a supportive, smooth and seamless transition to adult diabetes services.
The pathway has been approved by the Diabetes Network Board which supports the implementation of the Department of Health’s Diabetes Strategic Framework.
Linda Wylie, Project Manager, Diabetes Network said the pathway highlights the importance of transition and the Network’s commitment to provide support to young people across Northern Ireland and improve their outcomes.
“Transition is a process, not a one-off transfer of care, where a young person moves from paediatric services to adult services. It is especially important that they are given support at a time when they are going through big life changes. The pathway highlights the importance of flexibility of service provision to meet the stage, needs and development of the young person.
“The smooth transition of children from paediatric to adult services will ensure young people’s specific needs are met by providing high standards of clinical practice and care, which will support positive health outcomes and good quality of life as they continue their life long journey,” she said.
As part of the pathway young people will be offered support and guidance throughout the three stages of transition – preparation, active and young adult. This will manage expectations, promote understanding as well as the young person becoming involved in their progression planning which will facilitate them to be more independent in managing their diabetes.
In addition, each young person will have a lead healthcare professional who can help them navigate services and signpost them to other sources of support and advice, as appropriate.