NICE guidance NG11, Challenging behaviour and learning disabilities: prevention and interventions for people with learning disabilities whose behaviour challenges, recommends that all people with a learning disability receive an annual health check. This should include:

• A physical health review
• A review of all medicines including side effects, interaction potential and adherence
• An agreed and shared care plan for managing any physical health problems, including pain.

However a report entitled Six lives: the provision of public services to people with learning difficulties, noted that checks are often not carried out properly and the uptake rate of those entitled to health checks is only about 50 per cent.

Practice points

• How will you make sure that you empower people with a learning disability and their carers to have their annual health check?
• How can you incorporate this into your daily practice?
• How can you make sure that people with a learning disability gain maximum benefit from their annual health check?