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Health checks for people with learning disabilities are often little more than box-ticking exercises.
That’s the view of campaigner Helen Ashby, who wants a standardised check nationwide.
Helen Ashby with son David. Ashby wants a standardised health check for learning disabled people
Ashby, 47, from Stourbridge, in the West Midlands, took son David Sheriff, 31, who has Down syndrome, for an annual health check on 13 February.
Five questions, five minutes
She said it took five minutes and involved only five questions. The person asking the questions was a healthcare assistant with no training in learning disabilities.
The questions focus on drinking and smoking habits, whether the patient has had hearing and eye tests and if there are any other concerns.
David’s blood pressure and weight were also checked and a form ordered for a blood test to check his thyroid function.
Health checks not standardised
Ashby said the check varies from “trust to trust” and “doctor to doctor”.
In previous years, she found a standard visit to the GP with David was more thorough than the health check.
Previous visits saw David given time with a nurse and a lead learning disability doctor who knew him well.
The visits checked underlying health problems, social situation, sexual health, blood pressure, thyroid function and height and weight.
Quality of health checks varies
Ashby took to Twitter to raise awareness. Feedback confirmed that the quality of the health checks varies.
She said the 211 clinical commissioning groups in England should provide a template to GPs outlining the health check.
Surgeries get an extra £140 for every learning disabled person they check.
People with learning disabilities are more vulnerable to health problems and large numbers go unchecked.
In 2016-17, just under half of people on their doctor’s learning disability register did not have a check.
NHS England did not respond to a request for comment.
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Published: 4 March 2020