Background: Since 1968 this hospital has successfully treated the paediatric and ever-increasing adult population with congenital heart conditions. In 2005 the Adult Congenital Heart Unit was established. In 2008 paediatric cardiology relocated to Mater Hospital, South Brisbane. A Transition policy, model of care and evaluation process has commenced. Current psychological research within the unit includes state-wide psycho-social profiling of the adult congenital heart population with Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis of experiences of young Australian adults with congenital heart conditions including parental perspectives.

Aims: Our unit aims to provide specialist inpatient and outpatient services to adults; seamless transition from paediatric to adult services; and multidisciplinary response to psycho-social problems. Research and psychological screening aims to inform Transition related interventions and increase awareness of psycho-social issues for Australians living with congenital heart conditions.

Method:
The Director, Staff Specialist, Fellow in medicine, Psychologist and Nurse Coordinator facilitate the Transition Clinic, training of medical and nursing staff, and management of adult congenital heart patients. Patients receive ongoing access to progressive surgery, the heart transplant unit, specialist cardiology interventions and diagnostic services located at the hospital.

Outcomes:
Increased clinic attendance rates, treatment compliance and patient satisfaction.
Decreased inpatient occurrence and decreased length of hospital stays. Improved quality of life for patients. Better management of adults through continuous co-ordinated specialist care. Teaching, training and research within nursing, medical and allied health disciplines, maintaining best-practice standards.