Healthcare Transition Campaign

How Do You Transition Your Patients?

The transition from paediatric to adult healthcare is a critical period for young people with chronic conditions. Too often, patients are lost in the system during this vulnerable stage - leading to poor clinical outcomes, disrupted development, and long-term consequences for their independence and wellbeing.

That’s why ESPGHAN, in collaboration with the National Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (PGHAN) Societies, have launched the Healthcare Transition Campaign - a united effort to raise awareness, promote structured transition planning, and improve outcomes for young patients and their families.

Why This Campaign Matters

The transition from paediatric to adult healthcare isn’t just a logistical change – it is a complex journey that impacts every aspect of a young person’s life. Without proper support and planning, patients may experience:

Disruption in their social and economic development
A lack of independent living skills
Poor adherence to therapy
Inadequate planning for long-term health needs

Through this campaign, ESPGHAN aims to close the gaps in transitional care, ensuring that young people with chronic conditions are supported, informed, and empowered during every step of the process.

Campaign Resources

Poster: A Structured Pathway for Transitional Care

A clear visual guide to age-appropriate transition planning from ages 12 to 19. Download here

Poster: Key Tips for Improving Transition Outcomes

Actionable advice for clinicians and multidisciplinary care teams to support successful transitions. Download here

Leaflet: The Importance of Transitional Care

A quick reference highlighting the importance of good transitional care and explaining how to achieve it. Download here

Basic Training Slide Deck

An introductory slide set for educating healthcare teams on best practices for transition. Download here

Educational Video: Real Stories and Expert Insights

Featuring a leading transition expert and a patient’s personal journey through the process. Download video.

Healthcare Transition Campaign Resource Library

HCP Resources

Transitional Care in Digestive Health:
A digital leaflet highlighting the critical challenges of transitional care in digestive diseases with evidence based, actionable solutions to improve patient outcomes.
View PDF

8 Principles of Transition Guidance:
A comprehensive document outlining eight core principles to underpin best practices in transition planning across services.
View PDF

8 Principles Transition Pathway:
A visual pathway mapping out how to apply the 8 principles throughout a young person’s transition journey.
View Pathway

Transition Talking Board:
Infographics designed to help visualise a young patient’s journey through transitional care, to initiate and support conversations.
View PDFs

PCCS Patient History Form:
A template for collecting detailed patient history to support continuity of care during transitions.
Download Patient History Form (PDF)

Transition and Handover Guidance (Wales):
Government-issued guidance for professionals in Wales, supporting effective transition and handover between children's and adult services.
View Guidance

Parenteral Nutrition Transition Tips:
A practical guide for transitioning patients on parenteral nutrition, including top tips for care continuity.
View Tips

Intestinal Failure Transitions Guidance:
Detailed recommendations for safely transitioning adolescents with intestinal failure into adult care.
Read Guidance

Transition of Health (ToH) Template:
A structured tool from ERN Rare-Liver to improve communications and information transfer between paediatric and adult liver services.
View PDF

Got Transition Healthcare Professionals Hub
A comprehensive U.S.-based resource with practical tools (including the Six Core Elements framework) for supporting healthcare transitions.
Explore Got Transition Hub

Mistakes in Transitional Care Paper
An article from United European Gastroenterology Journal identifying eight common errors in transitioning from paediatric to adult healthcare.
View PDF

Transition Success Score in IBD Patients
A research paper reporting the development and outcomes of a Transition Success Score to measure the quality of transitional care in adolescents with IBD.
View PDF

Patient Resources

Young Adult Programme Video:
An animated video outlining what a Young Adult Programme for Transition may look like, to prepare patients for what to expect.
Watch Video

Ready Steady Go Questionnaires:
A set of age-appropriate questionnaires that help young people prepare for transition and develop self-management skills.
Access Ready Steady Go

MyChart for Patients (UK Only):
A secure, online portal where young people can view their health records, test results, appointment information and more.
Visit MyChart

10 Steps for Young People:
A youth-friendly version of the 10 Steps resource, guiding young people through their healthcare transition.
Visit 10 Steps for Young People

My Healthcare Passport:
A document that allows young people to record key medical and personal information to share with healthcare professionals.
Download Passport (PDF)

Got Transition Youth and Young Adults Hub:
A U.S.-based hub offering videos, quizzes, and tools to help young people understand and prepare for transition.
Explore Got Transition Youth Hub

Parent and Carer Resources

MyChart for Parents (UK Only)
Allows parents and carers access to their child's health records, offering support during and after the transition process.
Visit MyChart

Transition and Handover Guidance – Young People’s Version (Wales)
A simplified version of the Welsh transition guidance tailored for young people and their families.
View Guidance

10 Steps for Parents
A resource to help parents and carers support their child through the transition journey, with clear advice and expectations.
Visit 10 Steps for Parents

Got Transition Parent and Caregiver Hub
U.S.-based guidance, checklists, and supporting materials for parents and carers navigating the transition process with their child.
Explore Got Transition Caregiver Hub

Supported by a Wide Network

This campaign is supported by ESPGHAN experts and endorsed by national and international partners across the healthcare landscape.

Endorsed and Promoted by:

National PGHAN Societies
General Paediatric Societies
Adult Healthcare Societies
Patient and Parent Advocacy Groups

Join the Movement

This campaign is more than a collection of tools - it’s a growing, collaborative effort to ensure no young person is left behind during the critical transition to adult care.

Join our effort by using the campaign resources, sharing them with your colleagues and getting the conversation started.