Dr Janet E McDonagh is a Clinical Senior Lecturer in Paediatric and Adolescent Rheumatology at the Centre for Musculoskeletal Research at University of Manchester and Honorary Consultant paediatric and adolescent Rheumatologist at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital. She originally trained in adult rheumatology in Newcastle and London and then moved into paediatric rheumatology where she has since developed her clinical and research interests in adolescent health and transitional care. She has a particular interest in models of care for adolescents with chronic conditions that support young people’s emerging capacity for self-management, that ensure appropriate health risk assessment, support transition to adult health care, adherence to treatment and engagement with other health care services. She is a member of the Barbara Ansell National Network for Adolescent Rheumatology, convenor of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health Young Person’s Special Interest Group and is co-chair of the Royal College of Physicians Young Adult and Adolescent strategy group. Dr McDonagh is also involved in the development of training for health professionals in adolescent medicine including her role as a trainer in the European Teaching Effective Adolescent Care and Health initiative (www.euteach.com).