SEND health

Ambulance guides - easy read: The Patient Transport Service and how it works and 999 – When to call for an ambulance.

Annual health checks: Anyone aged 14 or over who is on their doctor's learning disability register can have a free annual health check.

Autism 'cures': Some products or services claiming to be cures or treatments for autism are fake and can be harmful. This NHS information has guidance on how to spot and report them.

Bladder and bowel: A series of incontinence information resources, produced by Bladder and Bowel UK’s team of specialist nurses.

Communication videos: A series of videos to help parents and carers support young people (aged 11-18) with communication needs. Please watch the clips to check they are appropriate for your young person before sharing them. 

Constipation: Constipation can be a life–threatening issue for people with a learning NHS resources.

Diagnosis: The Charity Contact have lots of information on their website all about diagnosis.

Easy Eye Care Service: Local opticians offer specially adapted eye tests and eye health check appointments across the Greater Manchester area.

Eating disorders and autism: National Autistic Society resource co-produced with two autistic women. 10 things they want eating disorder services to understand about autism and 10 things they want autism services to understand about eating disorders.

Epilepsy support: Childhood epilepsy can be frightening, isolating and often a misunderstood condition. Young Epilepsy offer support.

Easy Read Resources: Easy Health is an online library of accessible health information with simple words, clear pictures and films. 

Get to know where to go: Find out where to go for minor illnesses, eye and dental problems, mental health support, urgent help and more. Also see this booklet about Primary Care (GP, chemist etc.).

Measles: Measles is an infection that spreads very easily and can cause serious problems in some people. Manchester’s public health team have easy read information about measles in different community languages and animations, including one in British Sign Language.

MMR vaccine: This protects against measles, mumps and rubella. It is free and available anytime, so if your child has missed one or both doses or is now older, it’s never too late to catch up.

Puberty resources: NSPCC resources on navigating puberty for children and young people who have learning disabilities. There is also this guide on female puberty for autistic people. 

Transitions information: Supporting young people to transition into adolescent and adult services - NHS England (2026)

UPDATES

Flu update (Autumn 2025): The annual flu vaccination programme started with children and pregnant women in September. Carers and older adults will receive their vaccinations from October 2025 onwards. Carers need to get carer’s allowance or be the main carer of a disabled or elderly person. Find out more about flu vaccines for disabled children.

Covid update (September 2025): Immunocompromised children aged six months and over in the UK will continue to be eligible for a Covid booster vaccine. Children aged over six months with chronic health conditions like epilepsy, diabetes, asthma and heart disease won’t be offered the vaccine unless they are also immunocompromised.

RESOURCES

Advice on Covid-19, Flu and other infections: It can be hard to tell the difference between Covid-19 and a cold, flu or infections. If you feel unwell and have Covid-19 symptoms it is best to stay at home and stay away from other people.

Contact has information on respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), the flu vaccine and Covid-19. You can also visit the NHS website for more advice on Strep A and scarlet fever.

Flu jab resources: Here is an easy read booklet for people in Greater Manchester with learning disabilities – Why you need your flu jab. Further easy read material can be found on this national website. As an alternative, there is this video by Manchester People First. If people can’t tolerate needles, the flu vaccine can sometimes be given by nasal vaccination - speak to GP.