Transition from paediatric to adult service in epidermolysis bullosa.

Children with chronic health needs are living longer than they have in the past (Department of Health, 2006) and are becoming adults with complex health needs. This has implications for the health service, which needs to address the arrangements for transfer of young adults from paediatric to adult centres. This article describes the transitional care arrangements established at Great Ormond Street Hospital to address the needs of children with severe epidermolysis bullosa as they move on to adult care. It emphasises the close liaison between paediatric and adult clinical nurse specialists, and recognizes the role of the wider family who also have long-standing links with staff in the paediatric environment and can find transfer to an adult unit traumatic. The article concludes by recognizing that the young adult and specialist teams need to work together to continue the transition process for future generations.