Learning disability annual health checks and Covid-19 vaccine experiences
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Healthwatch Herefordshire carried out this project in partnership with Taurus Healthcare and WBC (Wargrave, Cantilupe and Belmont) and gathered the views and experiences of 40 people with that have experienced annual learning disability health checks and covid vaccines in Herefordshire. They aimed to learn why people attend or do not attend, what the barriers are, what works well, and how to improve the experience. They created a film about health checks.
After seeing the film, around three quarters thought they had attended a check. Most had a positive experience of having one, including kind staff who ensured they understood what they were saying. Some people found the experience worrying and difficult and said that they got a bit scared and anxious going to the health check. Reasons included the pain of the blood test, too many questions and people feeling upset by the sexual questions.
The majority went because their carer arranged it for them. Those that didn't gave a variety of reasons why not. Participants had a number of suggestions to make it easier for them to go.
Most people had had the Covid-19 vaccine. It had been arranged for them and they felt the vaccine would stop them getting Covid. They had a number of suggestions to improve the experience.