Adult Learning Disabilities - Annual Health Checks Implementation Group Minutes: August 2025

Attendees and apologies

SG Officials
Representative for NHS Dumfries and Galloway
Representative for NHS Borders
Representative for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde 
Representative for NHS Fife
Representative for NHS Grampian
Representative for NHS Tayside
Representative for NHS Lanarkshire 
Representative for NHS Orkney
Representative for NHS Western Isles
Representative for NHS 24
Representative for NHS Shetland
Representative for NHS Forth Valley
Representative for NHS Highland
Representative for NES

Apologies:
Representative for NHS Lothian
Representative for NHS Ayrshire and Arran

Items and actions

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.

Updates from Scottish Government

National Data publication

SG Officials confirmed that national data is expected to be published week commencing 25 August 2025. An email will be issued to the group in advance of the publication going live.

Quarter 1 Data Request

Officials reminded that Group that annual health check data for the first quarter of the year is currently being collected. The Group were advised that while this data will not be published, it will allow SG in tracking progress throughout the year. It was noted that although this is for internal use only, it remains subject to FOI requests. The Group requested that SG provide Boards with a reporting schedule outlining when data submissions will be required throughout the year. SG confirmed that a schedule will be drawn up and issued to the Group.

Data Update 

An update was provided on the PHS PCIS Proposal, which aims to extract GP data to improve understanding of the health and healthcare outcomes of people with learning disabilities. This proposal is currently under consideration by the PHS GP Editorial Board.

Officials gave an update on the development of a national standardised MORSE template which Boards can use. Officials have met with the MORSE team and are hopeful that they will attend a future Implementation Group meeting.

Health Check Enquiries – Health Board Contact List

Officials thanked members for providing a named contact or a central contact point which can be used for health checks enquiries. The draft contact list was shared, and it was confirmed that this will be published on the Scottish Government web page. It was agreed that Boards could update this information at any time by contacting SG Officials.

Scottish Learning Disability Week

There was discussion about Scottish Learning Disability Week, which takes place week commencing 8 September 2025. An event is being held with a focus on annual health checks, highlighting  positive experiences from people with lived experience. A number of health boards will be presenting at the event, and it is hoped that this material shared at the event will be brought to the next meeting.

An update was also provided on the review of the annual health check documentation, which is being led by the Scottish Commission for People with Learning Disabilities (SCLD). Members were invited to share any feedback that they have on the current format with Officials and this will be considered in future meetings.

NES Update 

NES provided an update to the group, reminding members that all AHC resources are hosted on TURAS. Boards were advised that if they would like any of their own resources to be shared then these can be sent on to NES colleagues for inclusion.

An update was also provided on the work ongoing with NES and NHS Tayside, who are currently working together to produce  a refreshed  clinical skills matrix.

Date of Next meeting 

The next meeting will take place on Thursday 18 September. It was agreed that members would find it helpful for the remainder of the years meetings dates to be issued in advance.