Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to ensure that children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis are transitioned to adult rheumatology care; and what guidance his Department issues to the NHS to ensure the adequacy of that transition.

In February 2016, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence published guidance on the ‘Transition from children’s to adults’ services for young people using health or social care services’. This includes several recommendations on the overarching principles of transition, transition planning, support for before and after transition and the supporting infrastructure. One of the main focuses of the guidance is ensuring that young people and their carers are involved and supported throughout transition and that the support provided is appropriate to the individual person and their needs.

Further information can be found via the following link:

https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng43