Published on: 15 June 2026
Local health professionals across Derby and Derbyshire are encouraging individuals with learning disabilities, as well as their carers, to explore a series of cancer screening videos. These videos offer accessible information and guidance and are designed not only to empower patients but also to provide valuable support for carers. 
The videos are currently being used in day care settings and Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND) schools, helping staff and carers to deliver important health messages and support the wellbeing of people with learning disabilities. By offering clear and easy-to-understand resources, the initiative ensures that both individuals and those caring for them are better informed and prepared for cancer screening processes.
To mark Learning Disability Week 2026, taking place from 15 to 19 June, a new series of videos have been shared to support people with learning disabilities. The videos provide accessible information about bowel, breast and cervical screening, as well as self-examination and recognising the signs and symptoms of ovarian and testicular cancers.
The videos were implemented as part of an investment in early cancer care and prevention through the GP Provider Board - a collaborative representing GP practices and Primary Care Networks (PCNs).
Developed with support from Learning Disability representatives and Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, the latest series of videos were created as a collaboration between ARCH (Alfreton, Ripley Crich and Heanor) and Belper Primary Care Networks to support patients with Learning Disabilities.
Government research suggests that people with learning disabilities are less likely to join cancer screening programmes, leading to later diagnoses and fewer treatment options.
Jodie Cook, Development Lead at ARCH Primary Care Network, said: “The aim of the videos is to raise awareness for those with learning disabilities and their carers about the importance of receiving a cancer screening, to better inform them about their health.”
Debbie Allen, Clinical Service Manager at Belper Primary Care Network, said: “Barriers such as lack of accessible information, difficulties in communication, and anxiety about medical procedures can all contribute to reduced uptake of screening and delayed diagnosis. Through tailored resources – such as the series of cancer screening videos – our aim is to bridge this gap, supporting earlier diagnosis and better health outcomes for people with learning disabilities.
“These videos also encourage individuals to become familiar with their own bodies, empowering them to notice any unusual changes at an early stage. Through promoting regular self-checks and an understanding of what is normal for each person, the resources support both carers and those with learning disabilities to be proactive in managing their health, particularly for cancers where self-awareness plays a key role in early detection.”
Daniel Hardy, Strategic Health Facilitation Assistant at Derbyshire Healthcare who has lived experience of a learning disability and took part in one of the videos, said: "I was happy to be asked to be part of the project and the filming was interesting. The films create awareness for people with learning disabilities to check their bodies and get informed is really important.”
The videos can also be accessed via the Belper Primary Care Network YouTube channel.
