We are dedicated to reducing the health inequalities faced by people with a learning disability and/or autism. We know that many people still experience unequal access to healthcare and poorer health outcomes. That’s why our Health Support Service, in partnership with the NHS, provides tailored support to help ensure everyone gets the care they need – in a way that works for them.
Click on the links below for more information about the health support we offer:
Annual Health Checks
Everybody aged 14+ who is on the Learning Disability Register should have a free Annual Health Check (AHC) every year, usually at your GP practice. An AHC is a full check of physical and mental health, so any changes or concerns can be looked after early.
About Annual Health Checks (AHCs):
- AHCs are preventative. They mean any problems or worries can be dealt with quickly
- AHCs are a good way for people to get to know their doctor better, and for doctors to find out more about the patient.
How we can help with Annual Health Checks
- Answer any questions you have about what happens at the appointment
- Book appointments at a convenient time and place
- Support with transport to the appointment
- Support you during the appointment
- Set up home visits or online appointments
- Make sure any reasonable adjustments or extra support are put in place so you feel comfortable at the appointment
Resources to download
Health Action Plans
You should always be given a personal Health Action Plan after an Annual Health Check. Health Action Plans let you know what you can do to improve your health, along with any other appointments, screenings or referrals.
How we can help with Health Action Plans
- Answer any questions about what is in your Health Action Plan
- Help you book and attend any future appointments, screenings or referrals
- Contact the GP surgery to request a Health Action Plan if you do not have one
Resources to download
Health Passports
Everybody with a learning disability and/or autism should have a personal Health Passport.
A Health Passport is a document to make sure all health and care staff know about you, helping them to give you the most suitable treatment.
Health Passports incude information on your needs and abilities, how you like to communicate, how best to look after you (eating, personal care etc) and how to make things easier for you whilst you are in a hospital or other health setting.
How we can help with Health Passports
- Answer any questions about Health Passport
- Support carers and people with a learning disability and/or autism to complete or update a Health Passport
- Help you share your Health Passport to make sure it is seen by the right people
Resources to download
Vaccinations
Vaccines are a safe and effective way to reduce your chance of catching infectious illnesses, and vaccines make your body better at fighting off infections if you do catch them. Covid, Flu and Pneumonia can be very serious for people with a learning disability unless they are vaccinated against them. Most people with a learning disability are entitled to get Covid, Flu and Pneumonia vaccines at their GP.
How we can help with vaccinations
- Answer any questions you have about Covid, Flu, Pneumonia or other vaccines.
- Book appointments at a convenient time and place
- Support with transport to the appointment
- Support you during the appointment
- Make sure any reasonable adjustments are put in place so you feel comfortable – for example extra support or alternatives if you are worried about needles.
Resources to download
Secondary Care Support: for individuals
Our health support team, including a Learning Disability Nurse, are available to support individuals with a learning disability and/or autism understand how to keep healthy and access the right healthcare.
How we can support you:
- Help you understand what health care you need, and what is right for you
- Prepare you for screenings and other medical appointments
- Promote healthy lifestyles and prevent illness
Resources to download
Secondary Care Support: for professionals
Our health support team works closely with GP surgeries across Sheffield, collaborating to improve health outcomes for learning disability patients. We also support better learning disability care in specialist healthcare settings such as dental surgeries, cancer screening services and diabetes clinics.
How we help health professionals:
- Deliver training to help improve health outcomes for people with a learning disability/autism across key health and social care settings, with a focus on primary care
- Support GP practices to increase the quantity and quality of learning disability Annual Health Checks and Health Action Plans
- Facilitate information sharing and collaboration between primary and secondary care to ensure the best outcomes for learning disability patients
- Train primary care providers on the importance, completion and use of Health Passports
- Help to improve uptake from learning disability patients for screening programmes, vaccinations and other healthcare
- Advise and provide support around reasonable adjustments
- Liaise with NHS screening and other specialist services to ensure accessibility
Resources for healthcare professionals to download
