GPs trial for adults with learning disabilities

3 hours ago

Stuart Woodwardin Billericay

The Hamelin Trust helps adults with learning disabilities to become more independent

John Fairhall/BBC Six adults stood in front of a colourful mural on a wall. They are all smiling at the camera. — The Hamelin Trust helps adults with learning disabilities to become more independent

A new initiative is aiming to encourage more adults with learning disabilities to go and see their doctor for an annual check-up.

People with a learning disability often have poorer physical and mental health than other people, according to the NHS - and, on average, die 20 years earlier than the general population.

NHS Essex Integrated Care Board (ICB) has joined forces with the Hamelin Trust - a charity in Billericay - where as few as one in five adults with learning disabilities see their doctor every year.

The one-year trial will support local GP practices and work with patients to create personalised health action plans (HAP).

Vince, from Basildon, who has been a service user at Hamelin for several years, said he tried to eat a healthy diet and do exercise to keep on top of his type 2 diabetes.

"I saw the doctor last week and she told me I've got to lower my cholesterol, which is a good thing," he said.

"I've been doing it for six months now… I'm proud of that."

He admitted he tried to avoid the doctor "if I can", but may have "the odd check-up now and then".

Vince said he tried to maintain a healthy diet, as recommended by his doctor

John Fairhall/BBC Vince wears a grey jumper with a black apron on top. He is holding up half an onion and showing it to the camera. His hand has a blue disposable glove on it. — Vince said he tried to maintain a healthy diet, as recommended by his doctor

Ru Watkins, chief executive of the Hamelin Trust, said some may not see their GP for annual health checks due to time pressures, fear of the process and confusion as to whether they are needed or not.

"Part of our job is to educate both ways - not only the people who need the support, but also to work with our GPs to help them understand," he said.

Shoenagh MacKay, a registered learning disabilities nurse at Hamelin, said the charity helped users navigate the health check process with a pre-check book - filling out key information in advance to speed up GP appointments.

"We are very aware that the GP's time is precious, so if this is already completed for them, they can look at it, do the physical examination and then from that stems the HAP," she said.

MacKay added that a person's HAP could help doctors understand any additional needs a patient may have, or how they may have made changes to their lifestyle - such as reducing smoking or losing weight.

"We realise people aren't going to change overnight, but it's that handrail of support to make individuals' lives an opportunity to change," she said.

Shoenagh Mackay said people with additional needs could find the health check process confusing

John Fairhall/BBC Shoenagh Mackay sits in front of a blue poster with writing on it. She is wearing a turquoise top with a black necklace. She has shoulder-length blonde hair. — Shoenagh Mackay said people with additional needs could find the health check process confusing

Uptake of annual health checks among adults with learning disabilities "varies significantly" across Essex, according to Tom Abell, chief executive of the county's ICB.

He said the trial aimed to promote an increase in the number of checks, "but secondly also making sure that people, once they get their health check, get a really good health action plan that means something to that individual and is properly followed through".

"A health check is great but unless we do something with that, we're not going to make the difference and we're not going to help support people to live happier, healthier lives, which is what our job's all about."

Tom Abell said uptake for health checks among adults with learning disabilities varied across Essex

John Fairhall/BBC Tom Abell sits in front of a colourful wall mural. He is wearing a checked shirt, spectacles and has a short beard. — Tom Abell said uptake for health checks among adults with learning disabilities varied across Essex

Wendy Burt, chief executive of the Essex Carers Network, said many families did not know what a HAP was.

"I think that GPs… perhaps don't have the time to really spend going into the detail that's needed," she said.

"[People] need something concrete to take away with them that they can look back on, share with their family [or] people who support them, and say, 'This is what's been suggested, can you help me do it?'."

Richard Holden, Conservative MP for Basildon and Billericay, said it was "a real concern" that there were health inequalities across Essex.

"We've got to make that extra effort for people with additional needs," he said.

The programme will begin in Billericay and expand to Tendring over the course of the pilot.