Being Healthy
Annual Health Check
Children and young people with SEND can sometimes find it hard to know when they are unwell, or to tell someone about it. A health check once a year gives people time to talk about anything that is worrying them and means they can get used to going to visit the GP.
Annual Health checks have been extended to include anyone with learning disabilities aged 14 years or above. Children would usually see a different GP until they are 14 years old.
To have an Annual Health check the GP needs to know the young person has a learning disability.
To find out more you can watch an Annual Health Check video from the NHS
You can also download the Annual Health Check leaflet here.
Aspire Ignite - free activity membership for 16 to 24s
Aspire Ignite is a free activity membership for young people aged 16 to 24 in the Wakefield district.
With this membership, you can access a timetable of free actitivies across Aspire leisure centres.
To find out more follow the link below:
My Health Passport
‘My Health Passport’ is a resource designed to support autistic people when accessing healthcare, including hospital treatment.
It helps individuals communicate their needs, preferences, and important information to doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals.
The passport was developed by the National Autistic Society, in collaboration with Baroness Angela Browning (Vice President of the National Autistic Society), and has been updated based on feedback from autistic people and professionals.
How the Passport Helps
The passport can support healthcare professionals to better understand an individual’s needs, helping to improve care and communication during medical appointments or hospital stays.
It can include information about:
- Communication preferences
- Sensory needs
- Health information
- Things that may cause anxiety or distress
- Helpful strategies to support care
Using the Passport
The passport can be:
- Completed online and printed
- Printed and completed by hand
Once completed, it should be:
- Kept together as a booklet or in a folder
- Brought to all hospital or healthcare appointments
- Shared with healthcare staff when receiving treatment
If a hospital stay is required, the passport should be given to the healthcare team and kept with the person’s medical notes.
It may also be helpful to keep a spare copy for personal records.
Further Information
Before completing the passport, guidance is available to support how it is used effectively.
The passport is endorsed by the Department of Health and supported by NHS England as part of improving healthcare experiences for autistic people.
For access to the passport and guidance, visit the National Autistic Society website.