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Adolescents and young adults have health needs that are distinctly different from children and adults. A lack of education and training is reported by clinicians to be one of the main barriers to providing comprehensive developmentally appropriate care to young people, including the provision of confidential healthcare and taking a holistic approach.

This study documents the current provision of care to young people on an adult inpatient medical ward at a large tertiary teaching hospital in Auckland.

Forty‐three staff and 40 patients aged 16–24 years on an adult medical ward completed surveys, which were based on the Northern Regional Alliance, Northern Regional Youth Health Network Standards for Quality Care for Adolescents and Young Adults in Secondary or Tertiary Care.

Few (12%) staff had completed any specific training in looking after adolescent and young adult …