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New Initiative Targets Health Gap for Adults with Disabilities
16 Jun
Summary
- Adults with learning disabilities die 20 years earlier on average.
- A new trial supports GP practices and creates personalized health plans.
- As few as one in five adults with learning disabilities see a doctor annually.
Adults with learning disabilities experience poorer physical and mental health, leading to an average lifespan that is 20 years shorter than that of the general population. This stark reality has prompted a new initiative by NHS Essex Integrated Care Board (ICB) in partnership with the Hamelin Trust, a Billericay-based charity.
The collaboration is launching a one-year trial aimed at increasing the number of adults with learning disabilities who attend annual doctor check-ups. Currently, as few as one in five individuals in this group receive an annual medical review.
The trial will provide support to local GP practices. It will also work directly with patients to develop personalized health action plans (HAPs). These plans are designed to help individuals manage their health more effectively. Vince, a service user from Basildon, shared his experience managing type 2 diabetes through diet and exercise, acknowledging the importance of regular check-ups.
