Checking up on DES: An investigation into implementation of Annual Health Checks for people with learning disabilities in Oxfordshire

Annual Health Checks (AHCS) were introduced in 2008 as a response to findings that people with learning disabilities have significantly worse health care than other groups, which contributes to lower life expectancy. GP practices are incentivized by a Directed Enhanced Service to offer extended annual health checks. Early results of national evaluations of the AHC indicate significant variation in access. This pilot project investigated implementation of AHCs in Oxfordshire where the percentage of AHCs completed in 2009/10 was only 26.1% (national average 41%).