Learning Disabilities Project

Working with GPs across Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire

We are working in together with NHS Bristol North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board (NHS BNSSG ICB) on a new project to raise awareness of the importance of annual health checks for people with a learning disability from ethnic minority backgrounds.

Health outcomes for people with a learning disability

Research shows that health outcomes or people with a learning disability are worse than for the ‘general’ population. Life expectancy is lower on average by 20 years. For people from ethnic minority communities this is even worse. A review by the Race Equality Foundation has found that the average life expectancy for people with a learning disability from ethnic minority communities is 34 years old.

Annual Health Checks

We have been commissioned to work with families from ethnic minorities to raise awareness of the importance of annual health checks. We will be supporting carers and families to ensure that the person with a learning disability attends their GP surgery for an annual health check.

The person with a learning disability needs to be on the learning disability register before then can get an annual health check. This can be done through their GP.

To find out more about the learning disability register watch this short video from Mencap.

How we will support our families

There will be four areas we will be working on to help families:

• To support the person to register with a GP if they have not already done so
• To support the person to register on the learning disability register at their GP
• To support the person to have their annual health check with their GP
• To follow up on the health action plan with the person

This project will be running from January 2024 to April 2024.