Health · England
Your GP register and yearly health check
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This guide is for people in England.
A yearly check can help you stay well.
Your GP keeps a learning disability register.
This is a list used to plan health support.
Ask your GP if you should be on it.
Children can join too
Children can join the register before age 14.
Ask the GP about your child’s needs.
The yearly health checks start from age 14.
Different lists
This is not the Dynamic Support Register.
That is another list used to plan support.
Ask which register someone is talking about.
People on the register can have a free yearly check from age 14.
Ask your practice for an appointment.
Tell staff what helps you communicate.
You can ask someone you trust to come with you.
Bring your questions and medicine list.
Tell staff about changes in your health.
Staff should explain tests before they happen.
Ask questions and get support to decide.
Ask which vaccinations you need.
Ask about health screening invitations.
Ask for a health action plan.
It should say what happens next and who will help.
Ask for help if the plan is not happening.
Do not wait for your yearly check if you become unwell.
What you can do next
Contact your GP practice.
Ask for the appointment and information you need.
Read NHS advice about yearly health checks Web pageThis link opens another website.
It may use harder words.
More useful links
- NHS England: the GP learning disability register Web pagePlain English
Plain English information about the register.
- Check current NHS vaccinations Web page
Ask your practice which recommendations apply to you.
- Understand NHS screening Web page
Information about screening choices.
- NHS England: register leaflets and accessible versions Web page
Leaflets for families, including links to Easy Read and plain English versions. Choose the format you need.
These links open other websites.
They may use harder words.
GP learning disability register and yearly health checks — Easy Read
Ask about your GP learning disability register, yearly checks and staying well.
England · GP register for all ages · Yearly learning disability health checks from age 14
Check the GP register
Your GP practice keeps a learning disability register. It helps the practice plan health support and reasonable adjustments. Ask whether you are on it, or whether you should be added. Children can be included before age 14. A GP can add someone with a suspected learning disability when clinically indicated without waiting for a specialist diagnosis. Bring relevant reports if available and explain everyday support needs. Register entry is not a formal diagnosis or a guarantee of specialist services.
Different from other registers
The GP learning disability register is different from the Dynamic Support Register, which helps plan support for people at risk of mental health hospital admission. Autistic people and people with ADHD do not automatically have a learning disability. Autism, ADHD or dyslexia alone does not establish eligibility for the learning disability register or its annual health check. You can still ask for ordinary healthcare and reasonable adjustments for your needs. If the practice declines to add you, ask it to explain its reasons and what information would help a review.
Ask for a yearly appointment
From age 14, people on the register can have a free annual learning disability health check. You do not need to feel ill. Ask the practice if no invitation arrives. If it does not provide checks, ask about another practice or help from the community learning disability team. This differs from the general NHS Health Check.
Prepare together
Bring questions, your medicine list and any concerns about changes in health. Tell staff how you communicate and which adjustments help. You can ask someone you trust to attend. The clinician should explain examinations and tests and support your decisions. Tell them about physical health, feelings, pain, sleep, eating, movement and everyday support.
Check vaccinations
Ask the practice to check which vaccines are due and whether any were missed. Eligibility depends on the vaccine, age, health and current programme rules. Some people with learning disabilities qualify through clinical risk criteria. Ask for an accessible explanation of benefits and possible side effects before deciding.
Discuss screening invitations
Screening looks for increased risk of certain conditions, sometimes before symptoms appear. Eligibility varies between programmes. Ask whether invitations are reaching you and what support is available. Screening has benefits and limitations and is a choice. A screening result does not replace assessment of new symptoms.
Leave with actions
Ask for a health action plan you can understand. Record agreed appointments, referrals or checks, who will organise them and when. Share it appropriately with supporters and services. Contact the practice if actions do not happen or your health changes; do not wait until next year when you need help now.
Words you could use
“Please check whether I am on the learning disability register and help me arrange a yearly health check.”
More useful links
- NHS England: the GP learning disability register Web pagePlain English
Plain English information about the register.
- Check current NHS vaccinations Web page
Ask your practice which recommendations apply to you.
- Understand NHS screening Web page
Information about screening choices.
- NHS England: register leaflets and accessible versions Web page
Leaflets for families, including links to Easy Read and plain English versions. Choose the format you need.
These links open other websites.
They may use harder words.
Where the information comes from
Links checked 27 October 2026.
These links open other websites.
They may use harder words.
- NHS: annual health checks Web page
Eligibility, appointments and agreed follow-up.
- NHS England: GP register guidance Web page
Guidance updated 1 September 2026: GP identification, suspected learning disability and the distinction from diagnosis or specialist-service eligibility.
- NHS England: register information Web page
The all-ages register, adjustments and health action plans.
- NHS: screening Web page
Screening choices, limitations and programme eligibility.
- NHS: vaccination schedule Web page
Current schedules and clinical-risk eligibility.