An investigation into the implementation of Annual Health Checks for people with intellectual disabilities

Author:
WALMSLEY Jan
Journal article citation:
Journal of Intellectual Disabilities, 15(3), September 2011, pp.157-166.
Publisher:
Sage
Place of publication:
London

People with intellectual disabilities are amongst the most disadvantaged groups in terms of health outcomes. To counteract this, regular screening of people with intellectual disabilities was introduced in 2008, with general practitioner (GP) practices financially incentivised to offer these Annual Health Checks (AHCs). Uptake of the health checks has been variable, with a national average of 41%. The aim of this project was to investigate the implementation of AHCs for people with intellectual disabilities in Oxfordshire, where only 26.1% of AHCs were completed in 2009–10. Visits were conducted to 6 GP practices where GPs had attended the AHC training and interviews were conducted with GPs who undertook health checks. In addition, the perspectives of people with intellectual disabilities were obtained through work with the ‘My Life My Choice’ self-advocacy group. This study found that slow progress in implementing AHCs was attributable to: uncertainty over who was eligible; limited awareness in general practices about the legal duty to make ‘reasonable adjustments’ to facilitate access; limited awareness of AHCs and their potential benefits amongst carers and adults with intellectual disabilities; and in some cases scepticism that AHCs were either necessary or beneficial. The article also explores the benefits of undertaking this project in partnership with a self-advocacy group.

Subject terms:
learning disabilities, primary care, screening, access to services, general practitioners;
Content type:
research
Location(s):
England
Link:
Journal home page
ISSN online:
1744-6309
ISSN print:
1744-6295

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