TRACCS (Treatment and Rehabilitation for Adolescents and Children with Complex Conditions Service) at University College London Hospital (UCLH) is a nationally recognised service working with children and young people up to the age of 19 with complex presentations. These include children and young people living with myalgic encephalomyelitis (or encephalopathy) /chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), functional neurological disorder (FND), and other persistent physical and functional symptoms.
TRACCCS is part of a teaching hospital providing world-class treatment and care through a team of expert professionals including doctors, nurses, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, clinical psychologists, psychiatrists, psychotherapists, dieticians and social workers, supported by a dedicated administration team. We are linked in with the hospital school and charity organisations.
The vision for TRACCS is:
“To work collaboratively with children and young people, their families and carers, living with complex symptoms, on a journey to support their future hopes and goals.”
TRACCS believes that to achieve this for children and young people accepted into the service we will:
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Work collaboratively with children, young people and families to agreed care plans.
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Provide advice on how to manage and reduce symptoms including fatigue, pain, sleep difficulties, cognitive difficulties, and difficulties in movement and physical strength that impact function in daily life, their learning, social interactions and leisure activities.
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See children and young people in outpatient, inpatient and daycare settings. We have a dedicated adolescent ward for young people who may require a one f medical admission or regular inpatient admissions for more intensive input or who travel long distances. The adolescent ward includes a learning space and young person’s recreation activity room. Younger children requiring inpatient care are seen on the paediatric ward.
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Advise regarding adjustments to education, liaise with schools/colleges and help with re-entry into education, where this is possible.
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Provide online groups as part of initial care on improving sleep, pacing / managing activity and wellbeing.
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Provide an individualised rehabilitation programme approach with input from occupational therapy, physiotherapy, nursing, psychology, psychotherapy, psychiatry and paediatricians to meet specific needs.
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Provide integrated specialist psychological support to young people and their families as well as psychology-run ‘coping with’ groups.
We aim to deliver a high quality and responsive service that maximises health and wellbeing for children, young people and families.
Patient contact
Service management
Tracy Dowling
Address
TRACCS
Paediatric & Adolescent Division
250 Euston Road
London,
NW1 2PG
Referral
Other referral information
GPs please use e referral
Paediatricians please make a referral via email uclh.traccs@nhs.net
Referral address
TRACCS
Paediatric & Adolescent Division
250 Euston Road
London,
NW1 2PG
- Myalgic encephalomyelitis (or encephalopathy)/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS)
- Functional Neurological Disorder (FND)
- Functional Symptoms
Health and lifestyle:
Self advocacy:
- Find out about your rights around confidentiality, consent to treatment and feedback in this NHS leaflet
- To support you with making shared decisions about your healthcare, please see the NHS - Ask three questions postcard
Exercise
- Young adults - visit the NHS One You: Move More
Alcohol, smoking and drugs
- For young people - visit the Childline website
- Information about drugs is available on the Frank website
- Alcohol Change - support for if you're worried that you or someone you know is drinking too much
- Nacoa - provides information, advice and support for everyone affected by a parent’s drinking
Diet
- Find out about living well and eating well on the NHS website
- Learn food facts on the NHS Change4Life website
- Information about eating disorders is available on the NHS website
Sleep
- Find information and help for sleep problems on the NHS website
Sexual health
- Read a guide to sexual health services on the NHS website
- Free and confidential sexual health and wellbeing information is available on the Brook website
LGBT+
- Switchboard - offering advice and support for the LBGT+ community
- Mindline Trans+ is an emotional and mental health support helpline for anyone identifying as transgender, non-binary, genderfluid…
- LGBT Foundation for help and support on a wide range of topics
- Galop - supporting LGBT+ people who are victims of domestic abuse, sexual violence, hate crime, so-called conversion therapies, honour-based abuse, forced marriage, and other forms of abuse.
Daily living:
Travelling
- Information on vaccinations needed for travel is available on the Travel Health Pro website
Benefits
- The Citizens Advice website can support you with knowledge and confidence to find a way forward
- For financial support, you can visit the national charity Turn2us website
Advocacy service
- Advocacy services are available from the National Youth Advocacy Service, find out more on the NYAS website
Prescription cost support
- Information on getting help with prescription costs is on the NHS website
Health advice and reassurance
- If you have an urgent medical problem and are not sure what to do, get help from NHS 111
Education/Jobs:
Volunteering and work experience opportunities
- Find volunteering opportunities for 14 to 25 years olds through Vinspired
- Search for volunteering opportunities by your postcode on the Do-it website
Education
- ASDAN offers short courses on a range of topics, find out more on the ASDAN website
- Bright Futures UK (BFUK) supports children and young people back into education after taking time out due to a long term mental health or physical condition
University
- University webinar from the TRACCS team
- Applying for DSA
- App for note taking at university
Careers advice/planning
- Connexions and Careers Service - Advice and guidance for young people moving from statutory education into further education/apprenticeship/jobs (This is the link to Camden, but other places around the country also offer this support)
- Match your skills, motivations and desires to a career perfect for you on the Prospects website
- Find careers advice on the UCAS website
- For help making decisions on careers, training and work, visit the National Careers Service website
Emotional wellbeing:
Managing emotions (anxiety, anger management, low mood and stress)
- Crisis Lines: NHS, Samaritans
- Crisis Messenger text service
- Support for children and young people to manage their mental health can be found on the YoungMinds website
- Catch22 provides social welfare services to help people in tough situations to turn things around
- Free, anonymous online support for young people is available on the Kooth website
- App that you may find useful - Headspace, helping with guided mediation and mindfulness
- Find out about mental health services for children (CAMHS) on the NHS website
- The Mix is a support service for under 25s, covering a range of issues
- Information and support around self harm is available on the Childline website
Bullying support
- Information and advice on dealing with bullying can be found on the Childline website
- Support for victims of bullying and their families is available from BullyBusters
- Find out more about bullying at school on the GOV.UK website
Other support services:
- Bright Futures - Bright Futures provide support with getting back into Education for young people who have not been able to access school for some time
- Renaissance Foundation - Renaissance Foundation inspires young people to fulfil their unique potential, focusing exclusively on young carers and young patients suffering from life-long/life-limiting illnesses
- British Red Cross - Help for refugees and asylum seekers
- Forced Marriage - More information available on the Government website and Childline website
- Child abuse support (including FGM)
- Refuge - domestic abuse support
- Respect - support for male victims of abuse
- Red Thread provide youth work support in hospitals and other health settings
Living with ME/CFS
- Action for M.E. provides support, information, advocacy and services for people of all ages with ME/CFS in the UK and offers free counselling for young people
- The ME Association provides support for people of all ages living with ME/CFS
- Activity Management: for Young People Living with Fatigue Conditions
- Eating Better: for Young People Living with Fatigue Conditions
- Managing Education: for Young People Living with Fatigue Conditions
- Managing Flare-ups and Relapses: for Young People Living with Fatigue Conditions
- Relaxation Techniques: for Young People Living with Fatigue Conditions
- Sleeping Better: for Young People Living with Fatigue Conditions
- Socialising and Managing Friendships: for Young People Living with Fatigue Syndromes
- Understanding and Managing Brain Fog: for Young people Living with Fatigue Conditions
