Annual Health Checks

Annual Health Checks are for people aged 14 or over with a learning disability.

Having a yearly health check helps you stay healthy, giving you an opportunity to talk to a professional about your health.

Even if you already see lots of professionals, it is still really important to go to your annual health check. Annual Health Checks help you build relationships and trust with the people who will look after your health throughout your adult life.

Information from the NHS
Before and after your annual health check
If you are feeling worried about your Annual Health Check

Information from the NHS

The NHS webpage has information all about:

What is an annual health check?
Who can have an annual health check?
How will an annual health check help?
How do you get an appointment?
What happens during an annual health check?

Annual Health Checks - NHS

Before and after your annual health check

Preparing for your annual health check

Before you go to your appointment, you may be sent a questionnaire to fill out. This helps the healthcare centre know you a bit better. It also helps you think about some of the questions that the GP or nurse will ask you. Remember to take it with you when you go for your appointment.

If your health centre doesn't send you a questionnaire, you can download it below. If you need help filling it out you could ask for help from family, a friend or other trusted adult.

Annual Health Check Preparation Tool (PDF607kb)

After your annual health check

At the end of the annual health check you will get a health action plan. The plan has things for you and people who support you to do at home to help you stay healthy all year round.

Staying healthy at home

Hertfordshire's Adult Care Services has a lot of information for you on how to keep healthy. You can use this information along with their 'Stay Healthy at Home' checklist for 11 - 24 year olds (PDF 699kb) to keep well all year.

How to stay healthy at home

If you are feeling worried about your Annual Health Check

Doctors want to help you and make you feel as comfortable as possible so don't be afraid to ask for any adjustments during your visit such as, large print or simple words to explain what's happening.

If you do feel a little nervous about the idea of an Annual Health Check however, our Experts by Experience, Chloe and Georgia, have some great advice and helpful tips to prepare you for your visit:

"Don’t worry about it, go in there with a positive mindset! Your health is important to you or you could get sick".

"Ask for a female or male doctor if that would make you feel more comfortable".

"If you feel happier with a specific doctor, say so, as this may help with any issues".

"If you want you can take someone with you, it could a close friend or a family member".

You can also talk to the doctor on your own, if you prefer. You may want to talk about something more private and so you can ask your friend or family member to wait in the waiting room.

"Doctors and nurses are trained to be able to help you understand their technical jargon and will always answer any questions asked. It’s part of the job so don’t feel stupid or embarrassed".