Falling through the gaps: exploring the role of integrated commissioning in improving transition from children’s to adults' services for young people with long-term health conditions in England

OBJECTIVES: To explore the role of integrated commissioning in improving the transition of young people with long-term conditions from child to adult services. We aimed to identify organizational and policy gaps around transition services and provide recommendations for integrated commissioning practice. METHODS: Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with two groups of participants: (1) twenty-four stakeholders involved in the commissioning and provision of transition services for young people with long-term conditions in two regions in England; (2) five professionals with national roles in relation to planning for transition. Transcripts were interrogated using thematic analysis. RESULTS: There is little evidence of integrated commissioning for transitional care for young people with long-term conditions. Commissioners perceive there to be a lack of national and local policy to guide integrated commissioning for transitional care; and limited resources for transition. Furthermore, commissioning organizations responsible for transition have different cultures, funding arrangements and related practices which make inter- and intra-agency co-ordination and cross-boundary continuity of care difficult to achieve. CONCLUSIONS: Integrated commissioning may be an effective way to achieve successful transitional care for young people with long-term health conditions. However, this innovative relational approach to commissioning requires a national steer together with recognition of common values and joint ownership between relevant stakeholders.