Transition to adult healthcare

Transition begins at 13

As children grow, so does the need for change in the way they receive healthcare. Moving from children's healthcare to adult services is an important step in every young person’s life.

This transition can feel like a big shift but it’s an essential part of becoming independent and taking charge of one’s own health.

At Perth Children’s Hospital, we’re here to support both young people and their families through this process, ensuring a smooth and informed transition to adult healthcare.

This guide provides helpful information and resources for adolescents, parents, and families, to make the journey easier.

Why the transition process matters

The goal of transition is to empower young people to take control of their healthcare as they grow older. The transition typically happens over several years and is broken into three main stages:

introductory/planning
preparation and
transfer stages.

Each stage helps young people gain the skills and knowledge they need to manage their own health, with the support of their parents or carers and healthcare team.