Preparing for adulthood (PfA)

Need advice or medical help?

For all medical emergencies call 999.

If you are unsure about whether you need to call 999 see When to call 999 - NHS

If you need non-emergency advice on medical issues, then you can use the 111 service. You can use this service if you can't wait for a GP appointment and the service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Other ways to contact 111 - NHS 111

GP

For young people aged 18+ and adults, GPs and district nurses are the first point of contact for non-urgent health issues and to access to prescribed treatments.

GPs check your health and make a referral to a specialist if you need it.

If your GP refers you to a specialist, once you finish with treatment you can go back to your GP for ongoing care. If you need more help later, your GP can refer you again.

District nurses assist with health interventions at home, and there are also specialist services in hospital.

To find a GP visit NHS Find a GP.

Accessing dental care

Routine dental care can be provided by NHS or private dentists. Find an NHS Dentist

Community Dental Service (CDS) – Young people aged 16 and over requiring specialist dental services can be referred to CLCH CDS by any health care professional including your GP.

More info: CLCH Dentistry.

Mental health services

Available from age 16. Self-referral for common issues like depression and anxiety. Specialist services for severe conditions and perinatal mental health. Services range from community support to specialist services. Organised by need using the Thrive Framework.

More info: Emotional wellbeing and mental health.

Learning disabilities health services and resources

Free flu jabs and COVID boosters

People on the learning disability register can get a free flu vaccine. You will also be invited for Coronavirus (COVID-19) booster vaccines. If you have family carers they will be invited as well. You can ask your doctor's surgery or pharmacy for advice about the flu jab or COVID vaccine.

For patients who may find it difficult to understand or consent to blood tests or vaccinations, please refer to the learning disability service for support.

The learning disability register

The learning disability register is a list of people with a learning disability. It helps your doctor and healthcare staff know what support you need.
More info: Joining the learning disability register.

It is important that everyone over the age of 14 who is on their doctor's learning disability register has an annual health check.

Free annual health check

Young people 14+ and adults with a learning disability are entitled to free health checks. They are done by a doctor once a year, to help you stay healthy and see if you need any support.

You do not have to be ill to have a health check. If you are enrolled in the learning disability register usually your doctor's surgery will invite you for an annual health. Most people have their annual health check when they are feeling well.

Annual health checks are important because people with a learning disability sometimes find it hard to express that they are in pain or worried about something.

You can invite someone to join you for your health check if you like.

Ask your doctor to give you a health action plan at your Annual Health Check.

Find out more: Annual health checks including Easy read information on annual health checks – Mencap

Free prescriptions

Check whether you're eligible for free prescriptions

Tri-borough learning disabilities team

The Community Learning Disability Team (CLDT) is a multi-disciplinary team of health care professionals who provide support for adults with learning disabilities, including therapy and nursing. They may also be able to help you with things like looking after your health, making healthy choices, and meeting other people to stay active and take part in activities. The team supports the assessment and signposting of young people in transition from children to adult service from the age of 18 years.

More info: Community Learning Disability Team - Central London Community Healthcare NHS Trust

The NHS Learning Disabilities and Autism Programme

The programme brings different teams together to improve health, care and support for children, young people and adults with autism, learning disabilities, challenging behaviours and or mental health problems.

More info: NHS Learning Disabilities and Autism Programme

NHS continuing healthcare

NHS continuing healthcare is care arranged and funded by the NHS for people who have ongoing extensive healthcare needs, funded if eligible.

More info: NHS continuing healthcare.