| Sumario: | Accessible summary · People with Down syndrome have their own health needs which may be different from those of the general population. · We wanted to know if we could pick up these health needs by inviting people to a regular clinic · We found that by coming to the clinic to have their health checked, some people found out about a health need that they might not have known about otherwise. People with Down syndrome have a greater risk of developing a range of health problems, including cardiac problems, thyroid disorders, sensory impairments, reduced muscle tone (hypotonia) and Alzheimer's disease. Despite this increased risk, regular screening is not typically offered to individuals with Down syndrome. A multidisciplinary health screening clinic was set up by a Community Learning Disability Team in Fife to offer regular health screening to people with Down syndrome. The format of the clinic, outcomes after 18 months and future service developments are discussed.
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