Annual Health Checks for people with a learning disability
Anyone aged 14 or over who is on their doctor’s learning disability register can have a free annual health check once a year. You can ask to go on this register if you think you have a learning disability. This is because people with a learning disability often are suffering from preventable illness. This can be either be physical or mental health, or both. The health checks give young people a chance to meet and get used to visiting the nurse or GP. They should have an annual health check even if they are under the care of a hospital paediatrician. The health checks will help to ensure that reasonable adjustments can be made, and your child can access the right healthcare.
The nurse or GP will go through a checklist to try and avoid problems getting missed. They will also discuss existing conditions such as asthma, epilepsy or constipation.
The annual health checks are also times for the nurse or GP to:
- check healthy eating and weight
- screen for conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure
- arrange blood tests if needed
- plan vaccinations for flu, tetanus and Covid, both for your child and for yourself as a carer
For more information please see:
If your child is eligible for an Annual Health Check but has not been invited
Although most GPs now offer annual health checks, they do not have to. If you think your child is eligible but has not been invited:
- contact your GP and ask if your child is included on their learning disability register. This register helps NHS staff to identify patients who may need extra help or support. Anyone with a learning disability can ask to go on it. It is for people of all ages, and you don’t need to have a formal diagnosis of learning disability.
- if your child is not on the register, ask the surgery to include them and offer them an annual health check.
- if their GP is unable to offer an annual health check, ask if you can go to a nearby surgery to have it done.