Streeting urges GPs to boost learning disability checks

The health secretary has written to GPs to encourage practices to make full use of additional income provided for ensuring learning disability registers are up to date and carrying out annual health checks.

In a joint letter with the charity Mencap, Wes Streeting said he welcomed GP support in doing health checks in those with learning disabilities as well as providing individual health action plans.

The letter calls on all GP practice staff to be proactive in keeping registers up to date and ensuring patients with learning disabilities get the preventive care they are entitled to.

Evidence shows people with a learning disability die on average 19.5 years younger than the general population, with more of the deaths considered avoidable than in the general population.

Through annual health checks and action plans, patients get access to additional support, such as vaccinations and screening, as well as accessible information and tailored support.

The number of annual checks for people on the learning disability has been steadily rising.

Figures published this month show 84,654 learning disability health checks were completed between April 2025 and August 2025, equating to around a quarter of the people on the register.

Of those, 79,215 learning disability health action plans were completed.

Additional funding is provided through the Learning Disability Health Check Scheme DES and the Investment and Impact Fund directly incentivise delivery of annual health checks and health action plans, the letter noted.

Mr Streeting said: ‘Many GPs have been leading the way in making sure everyone who can benefit is on the learning disability register and has access to all important annual health checks.

‘Thanks to their hard work and dedication, access has been climbing year on year, with around 80% of people with a learning disability now reaping the benefits of these yearly check-ups according to recent figures.’

‘As part of our 10 Year Health Plan, we’re determined to continue to build on these efforts to ensure the front door to the NHS is truly open to all.

‘That’s why Mencap and I are asking all GPs to make full use of the financial incentives available to ensure those that need it have access to this valuable support, so that no one with a learning disability misses out.’

Co-author Ismail Kaji, Mencap’s government engagement officer, who has a learning disability said: ‘My GP is very important in helping me with my health, staying well and managing long term conditions along with other health support.

‘I want everyone with a learning disability to get the support they need, and being on the GP Learning Disability register is an important step.’

This summer the Government published a new code of practice to ensure consistency of training for health and social care providers looking after people with a learning disability or autism.

It sets out the standards that any CQC-registered provider, including GP practices, will have to meet to be compliant with the law and recommends that organisations use The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism for staff in their team.