Annual health checks

Learning Disability Register

If you have a learning disability, your doctor (also called a GP) should put you on the Learning Disability Register. If you are on the Learning Disability Register, you can get additional support from your GP.  If you are not on the Learning Disability Register at your doctor’s practice, contact them and ask them to add you.  

The Mencap website has more information about the Learning Disability Register, including a video and easy read guides. 

Anyone of any age, or any level of learning disability, can be on the learning disability register.

The Learning Disability Register is for babies, children, young people and adults who have a learning disability and are registered at their local GP practice.

Annual health checks for people aged 14 and over

People with a learning disability aged 14 or over are entitled to an annual health check which is carried out by their doctor or nurse. An annual health check takes place once a year and is used to find any problems early, help keep people healthy and make sure the right care is being given.

Annual health checks are not just for those who are ill or who have pre-existing conditions. If someone has a learning disability, they can be more likely to have health problems, so an annual health check is a good way to make sure people are supported to stay healthy.

You can find out more on the NHS England Annual health checks web page.

Resources for annual health checks

• Information for patients about accessing annual health checks
• Pre-Health Check Questionnaire and Health Action Plan
• Posters for print and display in community settings

Watch a video

In this video, Shenah attends her learning disability annual health check appointment. This video shows what to expect during your annual health check appointment, the equipment that will be used, and the information you will receive afterwards. Including how pre health check questionnaire and health action plan documents are used.

This video has been co-produced by ACE Anglia with Dr Roz Tandy, GP at Unity Healthcare.

Screening your way to better health

It is important to attend screening appointments when they are due. These appointments can help detect early signs of ill health.

The Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust and Framfield Surgery in Woodbridge have worked together to try and boost attendance of screening appointments for:

• Cervical cancer
• Breast cancer
• Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA)
• Bowel cancer
• Eye problems related to diabetes

Together, they have produced information aimed at people with a learning disability and autism and their families and carers. These resources can be found on the Suffolk Ordinary Lives website, and are relevant to anyone living in Suffolk or Norfolk.

Visit the site to learn who should have screening appointments, when they should happen and what for. See how to arrange an appointment and what to expect.