Physical and mental health

The learning disabilities register is for anyone with a learning disability, including mild learning disabilities. You can be of any age and have any level of learning disability to join the register and get extra support.

• Support to improve relationships with your GP
• To get extra support when you visit your GP, and for making appointments
• Staff at your GP surgery will make sure that the information you’re given is clear and easy to understand
• To get a Free Annual Health Check when you are 14 and over
• To have a Free annual flu vaccination

Speak to your GP practice to check if you are on the register. The register is for anyone with a learning disability, including mild learning disabilities. Children with learning disabilities can also join the register.

If you are not on your GP’s learning disability register, staff at the GP practice can add your name for you. You will need to make an appointment to tell your doctor that you have a learning disability.

It is a good idea for children to join the learning disability register at a young age. Joining ensures that adjustments and support are in place before they start using adult services.

Find videos and easy-read guides for young people and their parents or carers on Mencap's website. Everything you need to know about the learning disability register | Mencap

And if you care for someone – a loved one or family member – who lives with serious mental illness, please encourage them to arrange a health check too.

If you are over 14, with a learning disability, or on the learning disability register you should receive an annual health check.

It is important that everyone over the age of 14 with a learning disability has an annual health check.

Having your annual health check every year, even if you are well, helps you to become confident with the process.

Please contact your GP to make sure that you are on their disability register.

Getting an Annual Health Check is important because it helps you to be happy and healthy.

An annual health check can help:

• improve your health by spotting problems earlier
• get better treatment, for example, new medication
• you to talk to your doctor about anything worrying you
• get advice on lifestyle, such as your diet and exercise
• you be in more control of your health and your body
• you to feel more comfortable getting support when you are unwell or in an emergency at other times

An Annual Health Check normally lasts for up to one hour. You can bring someone with you to the appointment. During the check, the doctor or nurse will:

• check your body, for example, weight, heart, and blood pressure take blood and wee samples (if you are happy to)
• talk about your medicines and your life. For example, they might ask about what food you eat, and how you feel

Find videos and easy-read guides for young people and their parents or carers on Mencap's website. Don’t Miss Out – Annual Health Checks Mencap- external site

This social story reads aloud to you explaining the process and what reasonable adjustments could be made for you at your check. Annual health check ‒ easy read story with audio- external site

Remember:

• you can take your time
• you don’t have to do anything you do not want to do
• the practice can support you with reasonable adjustments when having your health check

If you care for someone – a loved one or family member – who has a learning disability, ask your GP to add them to the register. Please also encourage them to attend a health check too.

Watch a video about reasonable adjustments and how they can help you on YouTube.