Young Adult Service FAQs

How do I access the young adult service?

Firstly, if you are not yet attending SPUH, your GP will need to refer you to the Young Adult Clinic, Dean Sandyford for an initial outpatient assessment by the multidisciplinary team. Appointments will be sent to you with details by post by the Young Adult Clinic Administrator and the usual wait time is 3 - 4 weeks. The administrator will contact you the day before the appointment to confirm that you still intend to attend for the assessment. A cancellation fee will apply to late cancellations or non-attendance. When you attend it is helpful to bring any relevant documentation or previous assessments you might have had. Your parents/partners are most welcome to attend and we will endeavour to see them as well with you if you wish. The assessment will take up to 2 hours and you will be provided with conclusions and recommendations at the end of the assessment. Your GP will be sent a report within a few days summarising the assessment and recommendations. Please ask the staff if you wish to have a copy sent to you as well. Follow-up and treatment can be provided by the team either at the clinic or other programmes available through the services at St. Patrick's University Hospital

What is involved in attending the group programme?

If you are being referred to the Young Adult Program YAP as day patient by your doctor or keyworkerl , they will make the initial referral and you will then be contacted by the YAP co-ordinator who will introduce you to the programme, and work out with you an individually tailored weekly program and arrange when to start.

On your first day the YAP co-ordinator will meet you at St. Patrick's University Hospital and show you where the programme is based. We suggest that you come in your normal casual clothes and bring pen and paper to make notes. Lunch is available in the canteen beside the dayprogramme.

The sessions start at 10:30 each day in the YAP room in the Swift Centre area to the left hand side of main hospital reception. Each session is attended by about 5 - 10 young people at a time and run by a couple of staff. The sessions are informal with ample opportunity to seek advice and help with ones own concerns.

What Happens after I leave hospital?

Most people attend the YAP group programme for several weeks and then attend the outpatient Young adult Clinic, Dean Sandyford for follow-up. Other people follow-up with their own community team. The YAP staff will assist you in making the transition and help you to link with other services that may assist with your recovery e.g. student support services etc.

Attendees are encouraged to engage in mainstream education, work, or training after they have finished the program and follow-up support is provided for a short while afterwards.

What will happen if it is recommended that I come into hospital?

If you require urgent admission then your GP should refer you to Assessment & Admissions at St. Patrick's University Hospital . Once you are in hospital then you can be referred to the Young Adlut Froups Programme (YAP) at any stage during your inpatient stay or follow-up. You will be seen on admission by one of the registrars who will do an initial assessment that will include medical examination etc. The admitting nursing staff will then show you the hospital facilities and help you with settling into the hospital. Your treating team will meet you the next weekday after you come into hospital and work out with you the best way to help with the difficulties you are experiencing. You may be encouraged to attend the YAP Group Programme while in hospital.