Leaving paediatrics: the experience of service transition for young disabled people and their family carers.

In February 1994 the Department of Health commissioned the authors of this article to look into the transition between paediatric services and adult services for young physically disabled people in the Trent Region. In carrying out this study 87 young people or carers were interviewed in three districts, Sheffield, Rotherham and Chesterfield. One of the main findings of the research was that there was a great deal of confusion around the notion of 'transition' from one service to another. For many the experience was summed up by feelings of abandonment; while others felt unsure about the implications of moving between services. This is highlighted in the differing perspectives of carers and young people. In this paper we describe the transition procedure in one of the three districts, Sheffield, and highlight the gaps that allow young people to fall through the service's net.