6171 Ensuring smooth transition: are children with learning disabilities being appropriately added to the GP learning disability register?

Objectives The exact prevalence of Learning Disability (LD) is unknown. Mencap UK estimates that there are 1.5 million people living with LD in the UK.¹ We know that children and young people (CYP) with LD have poorer physical and mental health outcomes when compared with the general population. NHS England recommends that all children aged 14 and above with LD are added to the GP register.² The objective of this study is to ensure all children with (LD) are identified within a Special educational needs (SEN) school. To review if these children have been appropriately added to the GP LD register. To highlight if current services are correctly identifying these children early to promote smooth transition. Methods A retrospective cohort study of 214 CYP aged 11–19 years in a SEN school in South East London. The study compares the number of CYP with a confirmed diagnosis of LD and if these patients were on the GP LD register. This was achieved by reviewing individual patient records in conjunction with GP records. Additionally, we used the Learning Disability Register Inclusion tool created by Leeds and York Partnership³ to analyse the notes of all 214 CYP, identify if any children met the criteria for LD and confirmed the diagnosis where not already given. Results Of the 214 CYP included in the study, 183 (85.5%) were confirmed to have a LD. Using the Inclusion tool we identified 18 CYP (9.8%) who qualified for a diagnosis of LD that had not been previously recognised. The study showed that 64 (34.9%) CYP were added to the GP LD register. Of those aged 14 and above, 40% were on the GP LD register. Conclusion The NHS England long term plan 2023/2024 aims to reach 75% compliance of annual health checks for the LD population.² This study shows that currently GP's may be substantially underestimating the total number of people with confirmed LD and therefore may not be offering annual health checks to this vulnerable population. There are also children with LD not being recognised within the SEN settings. We hope that these results will impact parental and professional awareness of the LD register in ensuring people with LD health needs are met. References Office for National Statistics (2020). Estimates of the population for the UK, England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. NHS Long term Plan, Chapter 3, Learning Disabilities and Autism. (2019). Appendix 4. Improving Identification of People with a Learning Disability: guidance for general practice. NHS England Learning Disability and Autism-Research Hub. (2023).