Overview
Everyone from the age of 14 with a learning disability is entitled to an Annual Health Check with their GP, we want to make sure young people and their families are aware of what this is about and why it is needed. It is also important that they are on their GP learning disability register.
Annual Health Checks assist with the transition to adult services and help embed awareness of health and how to stay healthy, particularly as people with learning disabilities are known to have poorer health than the general population and may die at a younger age.
The following resources can be used with patients to help explain what Annual Health Checks are and why to access them. They have been developed by Contact and the National Network of Parent Carer Forums and NHS England, GPs and Clinical Commissioning Groups as well as parent carers.
Webinar: GP annual health checks for over 14s
This co-presented webinar with representatives from Bromley Parent Voice and NHS England covers what GP annual health checks are, why they are important and explains GP learning disability registers and who should be on them. It also highlights what to expect from an annual health check, what a Health Action Plan is, and what to do if this is not what you experience.
Don’t Miss Out
Mencap resources include films and guidance for people with learning disabilities about Annual Health Checks. People with learning disabilities are interviewed about what happens at an Annual Health Check, why it’s important, and what support they can ask for. More information is available on the Mencap website – Annual health checks page.
It’s your health check
A film by Somerset Council covers what a health check is, who can have one, and why it is important. The person should think about what they want from a health check before they attend and that it is fine to say ‘No’ to some things. A person with learning disabilities interviews a GP Learning Disability lead for NHS Somerset.
Health is Everybody’s Responsibility
This film by the Misfits Theatre Company (a theatre company of people with learning disabilities) stresses the importance of having a health check, being on the GP register and what can be added to a Summary Care Record. It has subtitles in Easy English.
Supercharged Me
Kingfisher Treasure Seekers developed a website aimed at people with a learning disability who use mobile phones and tablets, and who would not normally engage with health checks through traditional communication routes. It may therefore appeal to younger people. The campaign is a call to action “to be the best version of yourself you can be” by having an annual health check. You can find out more on the Supercharged Me website.
It is important that young people and their families go prepared for the check, GPs should send out information – such as a pre-health check questionnaire – prior to attending. The information on this really helps them to understand someone’s health and wellbeing needs, so make sure it is filled in helps enormously.
Get Checked Out
Health Facilitation Team in Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust have co-produced lots of resources including a pre-health check questionnaire and information for families and others. For more information please visit the Learning Disability Service website.
Flowchart for GP practices
Our Annual Health Checks flowchart (PDF) was designed for GP practices in Somerset during the Covid-19 period and helps them with the Annual Health Check process. As the check may not take place face to face.
