This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-39528383
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Patients with learning disabilities missing out on health checks | Patients with learning disabilities missing out on health checks |
(3 days later) | |
Patients in England with learning disabilities are missing out on vital health checks, NHS data shows. | Patients in England with learning disabilities are missing out on vital health checks, NHS data shows. |
These include cancer screening, blood pressure checks and mental health assessments. | These include cancer screening, blood pressure checks and mental health assessments. |
Only about half of women with learning disabilities in England received breast cancer screening last year, compared with about 70% of eligible women overall. | Only about half of women with learning disabilities in England received breast cancer screening last year, compared with about 70% of eligible women overall. |
NHS England said the number having an annual health check was on the rise. | NHS England said the number having an annual health check was on the rise. |
But fewer than half of patients received the recommended annual health check. | |
This meant they were not accessing support including checks for epilepsy and chronic conditions such as asthma. | This meant they were not accessing support including checks for epilepsy and chronic conditions such as asthma. |
The NHS recommends that people with learning disabilities and other complex health needs receive a general physical examination and review of any medicines they have been prescribed every year. | The NHS recommends that people with learning disabilities and other complex health needs receive a general physical examination and review of any medicines they have been prescribed every year. |
The NHS Digital report looked at patients with and without learning disabilities from more than half of GP practices in England. This covered about 60% of all patients registered with a GP. | The NHS Digital report looked at patients with and without learning disabilities from more than half of GP practices in England. This covered about 60% of all patients registered with a GP. |
The researchers found that, on average, patients with learning disabilities had a 16-year shorter life expectancy than the general population. | The researchers found that, on average, patients with learning disabilities had a 16-year shorter life expectancy than the general population. |
People with learning disabilities are also entitled to extra time in GP appointments. Patients are generally allotted 10 minutes or less with their GP. | People with learning disabilities are also entitled to extra time in GP appointments. Patients are generally allotted 10 minutes or less with their GP. |
An NHS England spokesperson said of the report: "The latest figures show the number of patients on a GP learning disabilities register who are receiving an annual health check is increasing but we want to go further. | An NHS England spokesperson said of the report: "The latest figures show the number of patients on a GP learning disabilities register who are receiving an annual health check is increasing but we want to go further. |
"It is important that people tell their doctor about their learning disability to make sure they receive extra support." | "It is important that people tell their doctor about their learning disability to make sure they receive extra support." |
'Incredibly difficult' | 'Incredibly difficult' |
Learning disability charity Mencap is running a campaign to ensure people know they can register with their doctor as having a learning disability and access this extra support. | Learning disability charity Mencap is running a campaign to ensure people know they can register with their doctor as having a learning disability and access this extra support. |
GPs can then make accommodations, for example calling patients to ensure they make appointments. | GPs can then make accommodations, for example calling patients to ensure they make appointments. |
The charity says people with learning disabilities might have more difficulty accessing healthcare than the general population because of a lack of accessible transport, anxiety, low confidence or lack of understanding from staff. | The charity says people with learning disabilities might have more difficulty accessing healthcare than the general population because of a lack of accessible transport, anxiety, low confidence or lack of understanding from staff. |
Commenting on the low take-up of annual health checks, Mencap's strategic development manager for health Rachel Ashcroft, said: "Visiting the GP can be incredibly difficult if you have a learning disability. | Commenting on the low take-up of annual health checks, Mencap's strategic development manager for health Rachel Ashcroft, said: "Visiting the GP can be incredibly difficult if you have a learning disability. |
"Being on the GP's learning disability register can ensure healthcare is much more accessible and can result in better health outcomes for people with a learning disability." | "Being on the GP's learning disability register can ensure healthcare is much more accessible and can result in better health outcomes for people with a learning disability." |
She said Mencap estimates there are 1,200 avoidable deaths a year of people with a learning disability. | She said Mencap estimates there are 1,200 avoidable deaths a year of people with a learning disability. |
Previous version
1
Next version