Shifting responsibility with Moving on Up

Jack Dyson knows the transfer from child to adult health services is a big step in the life of a person with a chronic condition.

He also knows it’s not a single step, but rather, a series of small ones, best taken with time, care, and the right support.

“It was a long process to figure out what was going on,” the now 22-year-old, who has cystic fibrosis, says. “And I’m still learning to this day. It’s not a process that ends, it keeps going.”

To help with this process, Primary Health Tasmania, alongside the Tasmanian Government and Tasmanian Health Service, produced Moving on Up — a practical framework to support the transition of young Tasmanians with chronic conditions to adult care. 

Updated in 2019, the framework aims to provide health professionals, parents, carers and patients with easy-to-follow guidelines for a safe transition of care, from birth to young adulthood. 

It recognises that transition isn’t a one-off, administrative event — it’s a complex process that must be tailored to meet each young person’s unique needs. 

The framework is designed to support young people with chronic conditions such as cystic fibrosis, congenital heart disease, diabetes, mental illness, as well as those with experience of childhood cancer or disability. 

Research suggests chronic conditions affect the everyday lives of almost 64,000 young Tasmanians, Primary Health Tasmania’s Sal Bucksey says. 

“For some, the transition to adult services can be a challenge — one that coincides with an already transformative period of life,” she says. 

“We hope the framework, as much as it can, may help clinicians, carers and young people navigate that process in a safe and supported way.” 

You can read Jack’s full story, and many others, in an upcoming edition of Primary Health Matters.

(Pictured: Jack Dyson)