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:  

  1. Work collaboratively with children, young people and families to agreed care plans.  

  2. 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.    

  3. 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.   

  4. Advise regarding adjustments to education, liaise with schools/colleges and help with re-entry into education, where this is possible.    

  5. Provide online groups as part of initial care on improving sleep, pacing / managing activity and wellbeing.   

  6. Provide an individualised rehabilitation programme approach with input from occupational therapy, physiotherapy, nursing, psychology, psychotherapy, psychiatry and paediatricians to meet specific needs.    

  7. 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

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: 

Exercise 

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

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 

Benefits 

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 

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

Careers advice/planning 

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: 

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

Consultants

Other children and young people's services