GP practices can use the Learning Disability Annual Health Check as an opportunity to add the details of family carers to their carers register.
Family carers are entitled to a Needs Assessment in their own right. This is carried out by Derbyshire Carers Association which can be contacted on 01773 743355.
For further information about support for carers, please visit the Derbyshire County Council website or Derby City Council website, depending on area of residence.
Healthwatch Derbyshire has produced a 'top tips for carers of people with a learning disability’ document which includes information about the Annual Health Check. View the top tips.
Family Carer Support Service
Family Carer Support Service (FCSS) offers a Freephone support service for family and carers of people with learning disabilities.
The support service, which is run by learning disabilities charity Hft (formerly known as the Home Farm Trust), offers free telephone support, including from mobiles, between 8.30am and 4.30pm during weekdays. Support can be accessed using The Big Word telephone translation service which is available for people who don't speak English.
The Freephone number is 0808 801 0448.
The FCSS is the only free national support service for family members and carers of adults with learning disabilities. Support provided via the Freephone service includes helping family and carers to understand their rights, the law, how to navigate health and social care systems and challenge decisions.
Carers are keen for good quality of learning disability health checks. Karen Tyson’s Page has produced a survey to investigate the uptake of annual health checks for adults with learning disabilities and to investigate their quality.
See the Learning Disability Matters site, aimed at familes and carers of young people with learning disabilities. There is a useful screening tool to check if the person may have a learning disability.
