What is the learning disability register?
The
learning disability register
The
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.
register is a list of people with a learning disability that the doctor’s surgery looks after.
is a list of people with a learning disability that the doctor’s surgery looks after.
Most doctor’s surgeries have their own learning disabilities register.
The learning disability register list will help the doctor, nurses and other healthcare staff know what support you need. This can include:
Easy read
Easy Read is a way of making written information easier to understand. Pictures are usually added next to the writing.
information
Longer appointments
Support with making decisions.
Why should you join the disability register?
It is good to join the learning disability register. By joining you can get:
- extra support when you visit your doctor – including making an appointment
- support to understand your doctor
- more time to talk about how you are feeling
More time with your doctor
If you are on the learning disability register list, you can ask for reasonable adjustments.
These are small changes, which your doctor can make to help the way they treat you or the things you need when you visit the doctors surgery.
For example, you can ask for a longer appointment or an appointment at a time which is best for you.
You can also ask your doctor to give information in Easy Read or ask them to speak clearly.
When you join the learning disability register, your GP surgery will know how to make things easier for you.
For more information, see our page about reasonable adjustments.
Annual health check invite
By joining the learning disability register, you might 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 on the GP learning disability register list, your GP 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. You will also be invited for Coronavirus (COVID-19) booster vaccines. If you have carers they will be invinted as well.
You can ask your doctor or pharmacy for advice about the flu jab or COVID
vaccine
A vaccine is medicine that helps your body to fight an infection in the future.
.
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 join the learning disability register and get extra support. You can join the register, even if you live on your own or receive little support in your everyday life.
Learning disability register eligibility means you have the right to extra support when going to see your doctor.
How do I join the learning disability register?
Contact your GP surgery
First, you, a family member or carer should contact your doctors surgery to make sure you are on their learning disability register.
You may need to make a doctor’s appointment to talk about learning disability register and if you can join.
Check if you're already on the register
When you first contact the doctor’s surgery, you can ask them to check if you are on the learning disability register already. If you are not on the learning disability register, you can ask to be added.
Book the appointment with your GP
When you ask to join the learning disabilities register, the receptionist might not know about the register and might not be able to check it for you.
You may need to make an appointment with your GP to talk about the learning disability register.
Explain how your learning disability affects you
At your appointment with your doctor, you can tell them about your learning disability and the kind of support you need.
You might use different words to describe your learning disability, for example: learning difficulty.
You can ask for reasonable adjustments and support to make it easier to book an appointment and visit the doctor’s surgery.
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 has joined the learning disability register.
Read Brendan’s blog to find out why it’s important to join the learning disability register.
Easy Read reasonable adjustments letter
This letter may be useful to get help at the doctors. Fill it in or ask someone to help, and give it to the doctor's surgery next time you visit.
Questions
What does it mean to be on the learning disability register?
The learning disability register is a list of people who have a learning disability. It means the doctors can make sure you get the right support when visiting the doctor’s surgery or making an appointment.
A specific code will be added to your medical record to say you're on the learning disability register.
You can then receive extra support from your doctor and other healthcare staff.
How can I get proof of my learning disability?
You do not need to prove you have a learning disability, as the doctor can talk to you about how your learning disability affects you.
During your appointment, you can describe your learning disability, and tell the doctor about any disability benefits you get or if you have a
social worker
A social worker is someone who can help you get the support you need. Social workers usually work for your local council.
.
You do not have to get any disability benefit payments or support from social services to be on the learning disability register.
Can I ask the GP 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 also book a doctor’s appointment.
How do I get on the learning disability register?
You can ask to be added to the learning disability register by contacting your GP surgery.
You can ask for an appointment with your doctor to explain how your learning disability affects you and the support you need.
Your doctor may use an NHS learning disability register identification tool, which is a checklist for GPs to assist them in identifying a person with a learning disability.
The doctor will then make a diagnosis and add you to the register.
Do I need to take a test to join the learning disability register?
No, you do not have to take any tests to join the learning disability register.
Who qualifies for the learning disability register?
Anyone of any age, and any level of learning disability can join the learning disability register.
You can join the register even if you live independently and have little or no support in your day-to-day life.
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 support.
Does being on the learning disability register tell the GP 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 information.
Can children be added to the learning disability register?
Yes, you or the person you support can join the learning disability register at a young age. This can also help put any support in place before moving onto adult services.
How do you know if your child is on the learning disability register?
As a parent or family member, you can contact the GP surgery and ask them to check if the person you support is on the learning disability register.
You may have to book and attend the appointment with the person you support, and we recommend speaking to the doctor about the reasonable adjustments a person with learning disabilities might need to access health services more easily.
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. If you join the learning disability register, your GP surgery will know that these changes will make things easier for you.
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.
During an Annual Health Check, they may check:
- Things about your body, like your heart and breathing
- Weight and height
- Blood pressure
- Blood and wee
- Eyes and ears
They may also ask about how you are feeling, any medicines you are taking and the food you eat.
What are Summary Care Records?
A Summary Care Record includes important information about your health, and helps your doctor to make better decisions about your care.
The Learning Disability Helpline
Our free helpline service offers advice and support for people with a learning disability, and their families and carers.