This page has helpful information for people with a learning disability and for professionals. It includes support for Annual Health Checks (AHC), making Health Action Plans (HAP), and other useful resources.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) advises that a learning disability is defined by three core criteria [NICE, 2015]:
- Lower intellectual ability (usually an IQ of less than 70).
- Significant impairment of social or adaptive functioning.
- Onset in childhood.
It is worth mentioning, that the term 'intellectual disability' is becoming increasingly used internationally. Remember to focus on ability not disability.
Health Checks
People with a Learning disability often have poorer physical and mental health than other people. This does not need to be the case.
Life expectancy is significantly reduced for people with a learning disability – local LeDeR data show the average age of death in males is 61 and 62 for females; this is even more shocking for people with a learning disability from an ethnic minority who on average die at 34yrs of age. (Race Equality Foundation Data).
Your Annual Health Check – What to Expect
An Annual Health Check (AHC) is a chance to:
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Talk about your health and how you are feeling
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Get support to stay healthy and feel well
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Find out if you need any extra care or health services
The AHC can help spot early signs of illnesses like:
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Cancer
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Diabetes
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Breathing (respiratory) problems
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Heart problems
Finding these early means treatment can start sooner, which can lead to better health.
What Happens at the Check?
Local Health Checkers have made a short video to show you what the check is like.👉 (See the link on the right side of the page.)
The health check lasts between 40 to 60 minutes.
Depending on your GP practice you may
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See a nurse first
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Then see a doctor or advanced clinical practitioner
They will:
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Ask you questions about your health and lifestyle
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Do a physical check-up - examine your heart, lungs, tummy, and also offer to check your breasts or testicles if needed
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Look for any health needs you may not know about
You should also be offered:
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A blood test
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A urine test
Why it’s important
This check helps you stay healthy, live well, and get the care you need early.
You should get a health action plan that you and your doctor or nurse make together. This plan helps you remember your main health goals and other important things from your check-up to help you stay healthy.
Additional resources
The Charity, Mencap, have created a really useful easy read explaination of what an anual health check is, and how it can help. Click on the link to find out more: Annual Health Checks | Mencap.
Learning Disabilities England have also created an easy read and video resource to explain the value of annual health checks, with ethic and minority communities in mind. Click the link to find out more: Annual Health Checks for people from Black, Asian and minoritised ethnic communities. – Learning Disability England
CPD for Annual Health Checks
Mentoring and Audits Further information
Learning Disability Lunchtime Learning Sessions
Health Action Plan - HAP - Example
