It is important to look after your health as you start to live more independently. You can visit the NHS website for reliable health information and guidance on all aspects of health and healthcare.
As you get older you will move from children’s health care to adult health care. This process is known as transition. Find out more about the transition to adult health services.
Health advice
There are lots of things you can do to manage your health and wellbeing yourself, and lots of advice available.
- Our Health for Teens website covers lots of topics like growing up, health, relationships, feelings and much more
- Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust also provide useful information on healthy lifestyles.
Health checks
From the age of 14, people who have a learning disability, and who are on the GP’s learning disability register, can have a free annual health check.
This is an important opportunity to discuss your physical and mental health with your GP and build relationships to help ensure your future good health. You do not have to be ill to have an annual health check, they are to help you stay well. Please read this letter for more information about annual health checks for young people with a learning disability.
People with learning disabilities are ten times more likely to have a significant sight problem and so you should make sure that you get your eyes tested regularly. Please read this leaflet for information about getting your eyes checked.
Health services in Devon
The main providers of health services for children, young people and young adults in the area are NHS Foundation Trusts, Community Hospitals and Children and Family Health Devon (CFHD). See the range of services they offer on the CFHD directory.
We work closely with NHS Devon and our Public Health team to understand the needs of our population, including:
- what services are most valuable in meeting needs
- what can be done to make health services more effective and accessible
- how to identify the gaps in services
NHS Continuing Health Care
Some people (aged 18 and over) with learning disabilities and very complex health problems may qualify for Continuing Health Care (CHC). Find out more about the Continuing Health Care Learning Disability Commissioning Team who carry out CHC assessments
Depending on your circumstances one option for your care and health package from the NHS could be a personal health budget.
Who can have a personal health budget?
If you are under 18 and meet children’s continuing healthcare criteria, you can request a personal health budget for appropriate elements of your healthcare. Instead of the Commissioning Team purchasing a service, funding will be made directly available through your parents.
If you are over 18 and you have a disability or complex medical problem, you might qualify for free NHS continuing healthcare (CHC) which could be in the form of a personal health budget; the eligibility criteria are different so you will need a different assessment.
What’s it for?
The aim of a personal health budget is that children, young people, young adults and their parents or carers have greater choice, flexibility and control over the healthcare they receive.
How do I get one?
If you think you may be eligible for a personal health budget, you can discuss this with someone who already provides your healthcare, such as a nurse or physiotherapist.
You can find out more about personal health budgets on the NHS website.