Adult Learning Disabilities - Annual Health Checks Implementation Group Minutes: September 2026

Attendees and apologies

SG Officials
Representatives from NHS Borders
Representative for NHS Grampian
Representative for NHS Forth Valley
Representative for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
Representative for NHS Lanarkshire
Representative for NHS Lothian
Representatives from Enable Scotland
Representatives from PAMIS
Representative for NHS Highland North
Representative for NHS Tayside
Representative for NHS Ayrshire and Arran
Representatives for Scottish Learning Disabilities Observatory

Items and actions

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and advised that a transcription system was being used for note taking purposes. 

SG updates

An update was provided on recent Scottish Government announcements, including the Programme for Government and proposed changes to health and social care structures. Members were advised that detailed proposals will be developed through engagement with stakeholders and that no final decisions have yet been made.

The Group was also informed that the Learning Disabilities, Autism and Neurodivergence Bill will not be progressed during the current Parliamentary session. Scottish Government officials advised that the focus will instead be on policy reform, service improvement and targeted investment, whilst keeping future legislative options under review.

An update was provided on Annual Health Check performance data. Members were advised that Ministerial letters relating to Annual Health Check delivery were being finalised and would be issued to Health Boards shortly. Members were asked to submit Quarter 2 data for 2026/27 by 30 October 2026.

Data update

An update was provided regarding work with Public Health Scotland. Members were advised that the first phase of a national data extract has been completed and includes prevalence information on people with learning disabilities across Scotland. Data is currently undergoing quality assurance and disclosure control processes before release.

An update was also provided on the development of digital Annual Health Check documentation through the MORSE platform. Work is progressing on digital versions of the revised health check documentation, pre-health check questionnaire and action planning tools. Members were advised that national standardised correspondence is also being developed to support consistent communication with individuals, families and GPs.

The Group discussed opportunities for involvement from areas not currently using MORSE, and it was agreed that further discussions would take place regarding alternative approaches and sharing of outputs.

Presentation from Enable Scotland

A presentation was delivered by representatives from Enable Scotland describing their review of experiences supporting people with learning disabilities to access Annual Health Checks. The work involved engagement with learning disability nurses, health check teams and service managers across different local authority areas.

The presentation highlighted several factors that support successful Annual Health Check delivery, including:

• Strong local relationships and partnership working.
• Coordinated approaches between health and social care services.
• Dedicated staff delivering Annual Health Checks.
• Effective use of reasonable adjustments.
• Local awareness raising activity.
• Local systems for tracking and coordinating health check activity.

The presentation also identified a number of challenges, including:

• variation in delivery approaches across Scotland, 
• inconsistent awareness of Annual Health Checks amongst social care providers, 
• uncertainty about referral pathways and invitations, 
• and difficulties in collecting and coordinating information about eligible individuals.

Enable Scotland highlighted opportunities to strengthen awareness within social care organisations, improve collaboration between health and social care providers, and support people to access Annual Health Checks through existing social care networks.

Discussion took place following the presentation regarding opportunities for closer working between Annual Health Check teams and Enable Scotland. Representatives from several NHS Boards expressed interest in linking with Enable Scotland to improve awareness, identification of eligible individuals and local coordination arrangements.

The Group agreed that sharing of contacts and collaboration between local teams and third sector providers could support improved delivery and engagement.

Presentation from PAMIS

A representative from PAMIS provided an overview of work undertaken to support people with profound and multiple learning disabilities to access Annual Health Checks.

The Group heard about the PAMIS Digital Passport and the inclusion of information to support reasonable adjustments, communication needs, consent arrangements and Annual Health Check planning. Members were advised that the passport can support sharing of key information across health and social care settings.

An update was also provided on collaborative work involving personal data stores and digital approaches to support information sharing and person-centred care planning, including work with the Scottish Commission for People with Learning Disabilities and academic partners.

The presentation highlighted the PAMIS Sensitive Story Library and the development of resources designed to help people with profound and multiple learning disabilities prepare for and understand Annual Health Checks. Members heard how personalised stories, visual supports and environmental familiarisation can help reduce anxiety and improve engagement.

The Group also viewed part of a learning resource developed by PAMIS and Public Services Delivery Scotland which focuses on supporting people with profound and multiple learning disabilities to access health checks and appropriate reasonable adjustments.

Discussion highlighted the importance of flexible approaches, including home visits where appropriate, and the role of third sector organisations in supporting people with complex needs to access Annual Health Checks. Members were encouraged to engage with PAMIS where support or expertise may be helpful locally.

Following the presentations, members reflected on opportunities to strengthen collaboration between NHS services, social care providers and third sector organisations to support Annual Health Check delivery. Discussion included opportunities to improve awareness, share contacts, support identification of eligible individuals and promote access to health checks for people who may not yet have been reached by local programmes.

Scottish Government officials advised that they would be willing to meet with organisations and networks to help raise awareness of the Annual Health Check programme and support engagement activity.

Date of next meeting

The next meeting will take place on Thursday 22 October 2026 from 13:00 to 14:30. This will be a longer meeting than usual and will include presentations on research relevant to the Annual Health Check programme.