Annual health checks
Annual health checks are available for young people aged 14 years+
In this section we explain the check ups and tests involved in an Annual Health Check.
Annual health checks
Going to see a doctor or nurse for a medical appointment can be a daunting prospect. There are support services in place to reassure and ease the process of accessing healthcare appointments.
People with special educational needs or disabilities may have poorer physical or mental health than other people. An annual health check can improve an individual’s health by providing an opportunity to talk about anything that is worrying them and helping people to get used to going to visiting the doctor.
Who can have a free annual health check?
Anyone aged 14 years or over, who is on their doctor's learning disability register, can have a free annual health check once a year. Check with your doctor's practice if you or the person you care for is on the register - you can ask for yourself or the person you care for to go on this register if you think you or they have a learning disability.
To have an annual health check, a doctor needs to know that the individual seeking the health check has a learning disability. The video below from NHS England is an example of Harshi’s learning disability annual health check and health action plan.
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What to expect during the annual health check?
During an annual health check, an individual may see different health professionals, including a doctor, a pharmacist, a nurse or a healthcare assistant. They have all had extra training to be able to conduct the health check effectively.
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During the health check, a health professional may conduct a number of check-ups and tests, as well as discussing how you feel and support services available.
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The NHS has to make it as easy for people with additional needs and disabilities to use health services as it is for people who do not have additional needs. This is called making reasonable adjustments and your doctor can support you by:
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using pictures, large print or simpler words to say what's happening
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booking longer appointments or having a carer with you
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putting an appointment at the beginning or end of the day, if you find it hard to be in a busy waiting room
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The reasonable adjustments you need should be written down in a health profile or health action plan that the doctor or nurse can use.
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For more information about annual health checks and what to expect, click here.