What is the learning disability register?
It is a list of people with a
learning disability
A learning disability is to do with the way someone's brain works. It makes it harder for someone to learn, understand or do things.
that the doctor’s surgery looks after.
Most doctor’s surgeries have a
learning disability register
The learning disability register is a list of people with a learning disability that the doctor’s surgery looks after.
.
It helps the doctor’s surgery know who may need extra support.
Ask if you can be added to the learning disability register
Find out more about the learning disability register by watching our video.
Annual health check invite
People on the learning disability register may be able to have a free Annual Health Check.
Annual health checks are for people with a learning disability who are over 14 years old. They happen every year and can help you stay healthy.
When you are on the learning disability register, your doctor’s surgery should invite you for an annual health check every year.
For more information, see our page about annual health checks.
Free flu jabs and COVID boosters
People on the learning disability register can get a free flu
vaccine
A vaccine is medicine that helps your body to fight an infection in the future.
. You will also be invited for Coronavirus (COVID-19) booster vaccines. If you have family carers they will be invited as well.
You can ask your doctor's surgery or pharmacy for advice about the flu jab or COVID vaccine.
For more information, see our page about vaccines.
Who can get on to the learning disability register?
Anyone of any age and any level of disability can be on the learning disability register.
You can join the register, even if you live on your own or do not get much support in your everyday life.
Lots of people are missing from the learning disability registers, so it is a good idea to check you are on it.
If you are not on the learning disability register, it may mean the doctor’s surgery do not know you have a learning disability.
How do I get on the learning disability register?
Contact your doctor's surgery
First, you, a family member or carer should contact your doctor's surgery to make sure you are on their learning disability register.
Check if you're already on the register
The receptionist may not be able to check if you are on the learning disability register.
You may need to make an appointment to talk about the learning disability register and if you can be added.
Explain how your learning disability affects you
At your appointment, it may be helpful to tell them about your learning disability and the kind of support you need.
You could also talk to them about the reasonable adjustments and support you need to make it easier to book an appointment and visit the doctor’s surgery.
You may prefer to use the words ‘learning difficulties’ when you talk about your disability.
It is your right to speak about yourself as you choose, but some doctor’s surgeries may not understand what you mean.
They may think learning difficulties just means finding it hard to read, write or use numbers.
It may be extra important for you to be able to explain the kinds of things you need support with - so they know to add you to the register.
Mencap Myth Buster — Brendan Chivasa story
Brendan Chivasa is a Mencap
Myth
A myth is an idea about something that is not true.
Buster and campaigner. He is on the learning disability register.
Read Brendan’s blog to find out why the learning disability register is important.
Easy Read reasonable adjustments letter
We have made a letter template which may be useful to get help at the doctor’s surgery.
Fill it in or ask someone to help, and give it to the doctor's surgery next time you visit.
Questions
Do I need proof of my learning disability?
ou do not need to prove you have a learning disability, as the doctor can talk to you about how your learning disability affects you.
You do not have to get any disability benefit payments or support from social services to be on the learning disability register.
It may be helpful to mention things like getting extra support at school, any benefits or support you get, things you need help with day to day or things you find hard about going to the doctor’s surgery.
Can I ask the receptionist if I'm on the learning disability register?
Yes, you can ask the receptionist at the doctor’s surgery. However, not all receptionists will know about the learning disability register and may not be able to check it.
You may need to book a doctor’s appointment to check.
Do I need to take a test?
No, you do not have to take any tests to be added to the learning disability register.
Who qualifies for the learning disability register?
Anyone of any age, and any level of learning disability can be on the learning disability register.
You can be on the register even if you live independently and have little or no support in your day-to-day life.
Only people aged 14+ can get a learning disability annual health check.
Do I need to get support from social services to be on the learning disability register?
No, you do not have to get support from social services to be on the learning disability register.
The learning disability register is different from the list of people who receive
social care
Social care means the services that give care and support to people who need it.
support.
Does being on the learning disability register tell the doctor what support I need to use health services?
No.
Just being on the register does not mean you will get all the support you need. Everyone with a learning disability is different and will need different levels of help and support.
When you visit your doctor, you can talk about the reasonable adjustments you need, such as a longer appointment or
Easy Read
Easy Read is a way of making written information easier to understand. Pictures are usually added next to the writing.
information.
Can children be added to the learning disability register?
Yes.
You, or the person you support can ask to join the learning disability register at a young age. This can also help put any support in place before moving onto adult services.
What are reasonable adjustments?
Reasonable adjustments are small changes that can be made by your doctor or healthcare staff to help people with a learning disability be treated equally.
It is your right to ask for reasonable adjustments. Being on the learning disability register does not mean you will automatically get reasonable adjustments, although it might help them to know you are more likely to need support.
Speak to the doctor's surgery about the support you need separately.
How can I get an Annual Health Check?
If you are on the learning disability register, you can get a free Annual Health Check.
You can ask your doctor’s surgery if you can have an Annual Health Check, and can bring someone with you if you like.
What happens during Annual Health Checks?
An Annual Health Check is done by your doctor or nurse once a year and helps you stay healthy.
For more information visit our Annual Health Check page.
The Learning Disability Helpline
Our free helpline service offers advice and support for people with a learning disability, and their families and carers.