Developing strategic health facilitators to increase the uptake of annual learning disability health checks
Intended for healthcare professionals
Evidence and practice    

Developing strategic health facilitators to increase the uptake of annual learning disability health checks

Amy George Strategic health facilitator, Learning disabilities, Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust, Hampshire, England
Jenny Jones Epilepsy specialist nurse, Solent NHS Trust, Southampton, England
Kym Anderson Strategic health facilitator, Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust, Hampshire, England
Marta Coates Strategic health facilitator, Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust, Hampshire, England
Carol Bailey Consultant nurse, learning disabilities, Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust, Hampshire, England

People who have a learning disability have increased health risks compared to the general population and access healthcare less frequently. Strategic health facilitators (SHFs) in learning disability services have worked with primary healthcare services for several years to enhance access for people who have a learning disability and improve their health outcomes.

This article describes how SHFs in one English county worked in partnership with general practitioners (GPs) and commissioners to improve the uptake of annual health checks for people with a learning disability. The article explores the processes developed, the challenges encountered and the benefits for people who have a learning disability resulting from this work.

Learning Disability Practice. doi: 10.7748/ldp.2019.e1942

Peer review

This article has been subject to external double-blind peer review and has been checked for plagiarism using automated software

Correspondence

amy1.george@nhs.net

Conflict of interest

None declared

George A, Jones J, Anderson K et al (2019) Developing strategic health facilitators to increase the uptake of annual learning disability health checks. Learning Disability Practice. doi: 10.7748/ldp.2019.e1942

Published online: 23 January 2019

Your organisation does not have access to this article
Recommend to your librarian
RCNi-Plus
Already have access? Log in

OR

3-month trial offer for �5.25/month

Subscribe today and save 50% on your first three months
RCNi Plus users have full access to the following benefits:
  • Unlimited access to all 10 RCNi Journals
  • RCNi Learning featuring over 175 modules to easily earn CPD time
  • NMC-compliant RCNi Revalidation Portfolio to stay on track with your progress
  • Personalised newsletters tailored to your interests
  • A customisable dashboard with over 200 topics
Subscribe

Alternatively, you can purchase access to this article for the next seven days. Buy now


Are you a student? Our student subscription has content especially for you.
Find out more