The Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH) Transition Support Service has been recognised nationally as setting the benchmark for excellence in healthcare, receiving the inaugural Exemplar Award from the Australian Commission of Safety and Quality Healthcare.

Established in 2010, the Transition Support Service is responsible for managing the planned and purposeful transition of complex and vulnerable paediatric patients to adult care, and has transitioned an average of 2,000 patients per year.

The process often takes place over several years to maximise long-term health outcomes for patients and to help reduce the anxiety and stress associated with leaving long-term paediatric care.

The RCH received the award after an evaluation against the Commission’s criteria for exemplar practice, and following support of the nomination from the Department of Health and Human Services.

Evelyn Culnane, Transition Support Services Manager, said it was humbling for the program to receive such a prestigious award.

“We are incredibly honoured to receive this special award, and feel privileged to be involved in the transition care of so many young people and families as they embark on their future beyond the RCH” Culnane said.

“Through the hard work of our team and thanks to funding from the RCH Foundation, the service has grown from strength to strength to provide the best possible transition service for our patients and their families.”

The Transition Support Service has been generously funded by the RCH Foundation.

For more information about the Australian Commission of Safety and Quality Healthcare Exemplar Award, click here.