New research boosts access to cancer screening for people with learning disabilities

24 Feb 26

An innovative HPFT service has drastically improved cancer screening access for people with learning disabilities.

People with learning disabilities often die earlier than those who do not have one and not treating or detecting cancer at an early stage, is a major cause of this premature mortality.

The Enhanced Physical Health Clinic (EPHC) run by Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (HPFT) is helping to save lives by removing long standing barriers to physical healthcare by offering personalised, accessible support. It is run as part of HPFT’s learning disability psychiatry service in Essex.

People who have both learning disabilities and mental health conditions often face significant challenges when attending routine cancer screening. These include communication needs, anxiety about procedures, past negative healthcare experiences and difficulties navigating appointment systems. The EPHC addresses these barriers and ensures people receive the additional support they need to stay well.

The clinic works alongside existing care to provide reasonable adjustments such as:

Easy‑read health information
Extra time to discuss any worries or anxieties about screening
Practical help with arranging and attending appointments

Professor Regi Alexander, Consultant Psychiatrist, HPFT and Visiting Professor, School of Life & Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire said:

“Our research shows a really encouraging rise in cancer screening uptake among people supported by the EPHC, compared with wider screening rates. It’s a clear sign that the extra support we’re offering is helping people feel more confident, breaking down barriers and giving them more control over their physical health.

“These findings remind us why accessible, inclusive healthcare matters so much. Simple, tailored support can make a real difference—helping people get screened earlier and improving long‑term health outcomes for those with learning disabilities.

“We’re really hopeful about the future of this work. We want to grow the programme so we can reach more people, save more lives, and continue working towards reducing premature mortality in people with learning disabilities.”

You can read the full article here.

Co-authors of the research are:

Professor Asif Zia, Chief Medical Officer, HPFT
Indermeet Sawhney, Consultant Psychiatrist & Deputy Medical Director, HPFT
Elizabeth Patteril, Research Assistant, HPFT
Verity Chester, Research Associate and RADiANT Network Manager
Tim Gale, Research Lead, HPFT and Visiting Professor, University of Hertfordshire
Mohamed Sathick, Consultant Psychiatrist, HPFT

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New research boosts access to cancer screening for people with learning disabilities