Successful transition for adolescent survivors of CHD: the Cambridge cardiac transition pathway

National standards to ensure effective transition and smooth transfer of adolescents from paediatric to adult services are available but data on successful transition in CHD are limited. The aim of this study is to assess the effectiveness of our transition pathway.

Adolescents with CHD, aged 15-19 years, who attended the joint cardiac transition clinic between 2009 and 2018 were identified from the Patient Administration Systems. Patient attendance at their first adult CHD service appointment at Royal Papworth Hospital was recorded.

179 adolescents were seen in the joint cardiac transition clinic in the 9-year study period. The median age of the patients when seen was 16 (range 15-19) years. 145 patients were initially planned for transfer to the Royal Papworth Hospital adult CHD service. Three patients were subsequently excluded and the success of the transfer of care in 142 patients were analysed. 112 (78%) attended their first follow-up in the adult CHD clinic as planned, 28 (20%) attended after reminders were sent out with 5/28 requiring multiple reminders, and only 2 (1.4%) failed to attend. Overall, transfer of care was achieved in 140 (98.6%) patients.

A dedicated joint cardiac transition clinic involving multi-professional medical and nursing teams from paediatric and adult cardiology services appears to achieve high engagement rates with the adult services. This approach allows a 'face' to be put on a named clinician delivering the adult service and should be encouraged.