Rochdale borough in top three for learning disability health checks 

Primary care assistant practitioner Akum Ibekwe

Rochdale borough is in the top three best-performing boroughs in Greater Manchester for people with a learning disability having a health check.

Greater Manchester as a region is well above the national health check target of 75%, and the national average of 77.6% - and the highest in the northwest.

According to data revealed by Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust, 98% have a health action plan in place, which records what they need and want to stay healthy.

A total of 81.3% of people aged 14+ have received vital annual health checks; an increase of 23% in two years.

The best performing borough is Stockport, followed by Trafford and then Rochdale borough.

Annual health checks are carried out by a GP or nurse, with support from learning disability colleagues where needed. It includes asking the person some questions about their health and carrying out a few checks such as blood pressure, height, weight and sometimes taking a sample of blood or urine.

An action plan is developed following the checks, to keep them healthy over the next 12 months. 

This will reduce the significant health inequalities people with learning disabilities face and help ensure they have longer and healthier lives.

The high uptake is thanks to the effective partnerships that have been developed between GPs, learning disability colleagues and others who share a commitment for improving the lives of people with a learning disability.

How to arrange a health check

The aim is to ensure everyone with a learning disability has an annual health check and action plan. This will reduce the significant health inequalities they face, helping them live longer and healthier lives.

Anyone with a learning disability who has not had a health check in the last year is encouraged to get in touch with their GP.