Optimising the uptake of health checks for people with intellectual disabilities

The provision of an annual health check for adult persons with an intellectual disability isintended to counter the health inequalities experienced by this population. This study documentsthe uptake of checks across general practitioner (GP) practices in Northern Irelandover a 3-year period. In all, 84% of GP practices provided health checks covering an estimated87% of the population with intellectual (learning) disabilities. Overall 64% of people known topractices had received a health check which is significantly higher than comparable percentagesof around 46% reported for England. Nevertheless the uptake by patients varied acrossthe five trusts in Northern Ireland but less so than across the English health authorities. Thesevariations were linked to the deployment of health facilitators. However, younger people livingwith families, or independently, in more socially deprived areas were less likely to havehad a health check. Ongoing monitoring is needed to ensure the quality of the checks providedand that health improvement plans are implemented.