Annual Health Checks for people with a Learning Disability
To make a positive change towards improving the health of people with a Learning Disability the NHS offers an Annual Health Check.
People with a learning disability often have poorer physical and mental health than other people. This does not need to be the case.
Annual health checks are offered by GPs for people over 14 with a learning disability.
An annual health check helps people with a Learning Disability to stay well by talking about their health and finding any problems early, so they get the right care.
They do not have to be ill to have a health check – in fact, most people have their annual health check when they're feeling well.
Young People and Adults aged 14 or over with a learning disability who are on the GP practice learning disability register should be invited by their GP practice to come for an annual health check.
If you think you, or someone you know should be on the GP Learning Disability Register speak to your GP about this.
What is covered in an Annual Health Check can vary although work is going on locally to improve consistency. An Annual Health Check should include an opportunity to talk about anything which is worrying you about physical or mental health. The approach to Annual Health Checks will vary from practice to practice, some appointments may now take place over the phone or virtually, via online consultations or if needed face to face. You can talk to your GP about what type of appointment is best for you. Annual Health Check appointments tend to last 30 to 40 minutes.
To find out more about an Annual Health Check please watch this film,
Video - Annual Health Checks - Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin CCG (shropshiretelfordandwrekinccg.nhs.uk)
For further information on learning disability annual health checks, an easy read guide are available to view which have been produced by Mencap.