Living Healthily
& Annual Health Checks
Joining the learning disability register
If you have a learning disability you can get extra support when visiting your doctor – all you have to do is add your name to the learning disability register.
Helpful posts
Helpful Documents
We have made an Annual Health Check Checklist, which you can view by clicking the link below. You can also find links to other helpful documents and videos if you are providing healthcare to adults with learning disabilites.
Annual Health Checks
Do you have a learning disability or support someone who does?
By adding your name to the learning disability register you can get better healthcare – and you could have a free Annual Health Check.
What is an Annual Health Check?
An Annual Health Check is done by your doctor once a year. Your doctor will take a closer look at how you are doing – making sure you’re healthy.
It is available for most people aged 14 and older with a learning disability at GP surgeries that offer the service.
You don’t need to be ill to get a health check, but you can ask your doctor about anything that is hurting or worrying you.
It is a good way to get to know your doctor better, and for them to find out more about you.
You can find out if you can get a health check by asking your doctor.
Scroll down the page to find out about how you can make sure your health and social care services provide information you can understand, with our Accessible Information Standard easy read guide.
Get better healthcare
Going to the doctor is not always easy if you have a learning disability.
By joining the learning disability register you can get:
- extra support when you visit your doctor – including making an appointment
- support to understand your doctor and your information
- more time to talk about how you are feeling.
You may also be able to have to an Annual Health Check.
Check out our Video below showing what to expect at your Annual Health Check.
The learning disability register
What is the learning disability register?
The learning disability register is a list of people who have learning disabilities. Doctors use it to make sure that people with learning disabilities get the right support in the right ways.
People with learning disabilities don’t always get the right help with their physical and mental health.
Being on the learning disability register tells healthcare staff that they need to adapt their support and care to you and your situation.
If you’re over 14 and on the learning disability register you also get a free annual health check to make sure that you are fit and healthy, and that no problems or illnesses have been missed.
How do I get on the learning disability register?
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 aren’t 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.
Download some more resources to find out more:
Letter to explain what you need from your GP
Learning Disability Health Improvement Programme
Provided by NHS Wales
Health Care Resources
Provided by NHS Wales