NHS England has announced that three quarters of people with a learning disability aged 14 and over have received an annual health check, two years ahead of an NHS Long Term Plan target.

People with a learning disability who often find it difficult to spot or communicate symptoms can get a full health MOT from their GP who can quickly diagnose and treat any health problems such as cancer, constipation, or cardiac disease before they escalate.

The NHS Long Term Plan set an ambition that, by 2023/24, at least 75 per cent of people aged 14 and over on the learning disability register receive an annual health check, in a drive to tackle health inequalities for people with a learning disability. The latest data shows that the NHS has already hit this target two years ahead of time, as 74 per cent of eligible people with a learning disability over the age of 14 received an annual health check, following concerted efforts by GPs to support the most vulnerable in our communities.

The NHS is now urging those in secondary care to set up seven regional exemplar sites, to drive through health improvements alongside the annual health check process. Seven exemplars will trailblaze new ways of working to help make improvements to health and access to care, including increasing the uptake and quality of annual health checks and the number of people with a learning disability who get their flu jab each year. Important lessons from trailblazers will be rolled out as good practice across the NHS.

Claire Murdoch, Mental Health Director for NHS England, said: “Every year, people with a learning disability die sooner than they should and many from potentially avoidable conditions, such as constipation or aspiration pneumonia.

“Despite the pandemic, the NHS has ensured that three quarters of people over the age of 14 with a learning disability have received their annual health check, two years ahead of the Long Term Plan target – the health MOT’s from local GPs are crucial in identifying and tackling major health conditions and preventable causes of early death. This important report reminds us why improving the health of people with a learning disability is a priority for the NHS and it is vital we use this to make real and lasting change to help close the health inequality gap seen throughout society.”