Linked data analysis of learning disability health checks and emergency hospital admissions in the Kent Integrated Dataset

Abstract

People with learning disabilities have higher rates of admitted patient care than the general population. This study explored emergency hospital admissions during 2018/19 in association with learning disability health check recording in general practice within the Kent Integrated Dataset during 2016/17 to 2018/19. Multiple logistic regression evaluated the odds of emergency hospital admission by sex, age, deprivation, residence, risk score, long-term conditions, severe health needs and health check. During 2018/19, one or more emergency hospital admissions were recorded for 10.9% of the 5,759 persons recorded with learning disability. There were lower odds of emergency hospital admission in persons having had learning disability health check in the past 3years even after adjustment. Comparison to nationally representative research suggests a consistent finding of benefit from learning disability health check on indicators of unplanned care use, supporting the view that learning disability health checks facilitate the addressing of key health needs.