Yearly health checks are for adults and young people aged 14 or over with a learning disability.
A yearly health check helps you stay healthy, giving you an opportunity to talk to a professional about your health. If there are any problems they will make sure you get the right care.
You do not have to be unwell to have a health check. Most people have their annual health check when they're feeling well.
If you are worried about seeing a doctor, or there's anything they can do to make the visit easier for you, let the healthcare centre know. They'll help make sure it goes well for you. Attending is voluntary but its a good opportunity for you to talk to your healthcare provider about anything that is worrying you.
14+ Yearly Health Checks are for anyone aged 14 or over with a learning disability, who are on the GP practice learning disability register. Once on the register at your GP practice, you should be invited to come for an annual health check each year.
You can ask to put yourself on the register if you think they have a learning disability. You can also get someone else to do this for you. The learning disability register is different from the register of social care needs managed by local councils. You can check with your healthcare centre if you are on the register.
Some healthcare centres may not offer yearly health checks. If not you can ask them if they could provide one. If they say no, ask your local community learning disability team for advice. They should be able to help you access an annual health check.
You may want to have some support when you attend the yearly health check. For some people it may be a scary or new experience. This is understandable - you can choose if you would like to take someone with you or go on your own.
What Will Happen Before The Appointment?
Before you go to your appointment, you may be sent a questionnaire to fill out. This will help the healthcare centre get to know you a bit better and helps you to think about some of the questions that the GP or nurse will ask you. Remember to take it with you when you go for your appointment.
If your health centre doesn't send you a questionnaire, you can download it below. If you need help filling it out you could ask for help from family, a friend or other trusted adult.
What Will Happen at The Appointment?
At the check up you will have an appointment with a GP or nurse. They will ask questions about your health, how you are feeling and give information and guidance on how to stay healthy.
During the health check the GP or practice nurse will;
Do a physical check-up, including weight, heart rate, blood pressure and taking blood and urine samples.If your learning disability has a specific cause, the GP or practice nurse will often do extra tests to see if there are any other health risks.
The GP or practice nurse can also give you health information and advice on healthy eating, exercise, contraception and stopping smoking.
For more information on the 14+ health check you can visit Norfolk County Council's information page.
You can also contact the Healthy Child Programme by calling Just One Number on 0300 300 0123 or texting Parentline on 07520 631590. Our opening hours are 8am-6pm Monday-Friday (excluding bank holidays) and 9am-1pm on Saturdays.
If you are 11-19 you can text ChatHealth on 07480 635060 for confidential advice from one of our team.
For 11–25 year olds Kooth is a free, confidential and safe way to receive online counselling, advice and emotional well-being support.
You can speak to other Norfolk parents and carers by clicking our online community forum below.
