Checklist for planning meetings
An early step may involve the parent asking the professional to direct their questions to the young person. Some professionals may be so used to addressing the accompanying parent that they need firm prompting to direct their questions to the young person.
- Thinking ahead about what information you must get, and any explanations you need. Write these down and keep the list safely.
- At home, think about what you need to know or say. It is really helpful to write these down on paper. Take the list into the consultation, and write down answers or explanations you are given. This may take more time, and you may feel awkward at first, but it means that when you get home you are more likely to have the information you need.
- When you and/or the young person prepare this list at home it can be a really positive opportunity to discuss issues together and to be clear about what information each of you wants to get.
- If the young person is going to do all the talking, preparing the list together can help the adult and young person communicate with each other how they think and feel about current issues or plans.
- Get your friend/partner to go with you. They can write down what was said or agreed; it is very difficult for tired, anxious people to accurately remember details of what has been said.
- Talk to staff and other parents to get information about any choices you could make now. Different medical specialties have different arrangements, ask staff at the different clinics about their arrangements for transition.
- Are there steps you can negotiate now that will ease the change, for example arrange a visit to the new clinic or ward, before the young person needs to attend?
- The ball’s in your court - if the young person or you feel that a particular professional understands your situation well, then ask them if they are willing to either provide a full report for you to use at transition meetings or will they attend in person.
- If they agree, you need to give them several months’ notice, and if necessary, be prepared to remind them right up to the week of the meeting. You will also need to notify the person who is organizing the transition meeting that this health professional must be involved and has agreed to prepare a report or attend.
- Be honest about how you are coping and about any worries you have. Other people cannot be expected to guess this or to know how to help you if you don’t tell them. This applies to parents and young people, and professionals.
- Take someone with you to meetings. Sometimes in the meeting, bad news or painful information comes as a shock and trying to cope with this takes all your effort.
