Abstract Background/Aims Adolescence and young adult life (AYA) is a developmentally distinct period focussed on transition to independent adulthood. AYA with long-term conditions need developmentally appropriate care and health education (DAH) to build the knowledge and skills needed to live well long into adult life. Recognising the limited data informing quality of AYA healthcare, the Barbara Ansell National Network for Adolescent Rheumatology (BANNAR) designed a four-nation improvement project exploring delivery of DAH. Methods Phase 1 identified AYA rheumatology services through existing networks and databases including BANNAR, paediatric rheumatology hub centres and relevant patient organisations. Phase 2 collected more detailed DAH survey information from the young adult teams. Results Young adult care providers were mapped on an interactive document, linking teams to their local paediatric rheumatology hub where possible. Twenty-eight survey responses were collated from the four nations (England n = 20, Wales n = 3, Scotland n = 1 and Northern Ireland n = 4). 21/28 (75%) respondents were unsure how many 16- to 24-year-olds were under their care with just 11% routinely collecting AYA data. Just 50% reported a local system to identify AYA non-attendance. 82% of respondents reported AYA adaptions to usual adult care with 68% involved in paediatric transition planning. However, respondents reported limited or no local support for DAH; 57% had no access to DAH training and just 54% reported designated AYA clinics. Funded AYA multidisciplinary care was concerningly low (Table 1). Although 39% offered AYA peer support opportunities, 64% had not previously involved AYA in improvement or research. Conclusion The complexity of delivering DAH in our current healthcare system is multi-faceted, difficult to define and lacks a single solution, rendering traditional guideline-based improvement approaches ineffective. Our data confirm the ongoing challenges associated with delivery of DAH. Solutions, likely to vary by local system, will require markedly improved operational and management support. The implementation of youth-friendly adaptions to services aligns strongly with the 2025 10 Year Plan priorities. Cognisant of this potential opportunity, the BANNAR network is energised and keen to work with enthusiastic partners towards a coherent and articulate four-nation improvement charter designed to inform sustainable and system wide change. Disclosure F. McErlane: None. V. Harbottle: None. A. Parekh: None. S. Mukaro: None. C. Ciurtin: None.
McErlane et al. (Wed,) studied this question.