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Asserting your right to equal health; Justifying your quality of life to others who make decisions on your behalf; Having to make disproportionate efforts to gain the understanding and compassion of others about your need for reasonable adjustments about your health and life?
For people with learning, or intellectual disabilities*, challenging barriers and confounding expectations make up a considerable part of their daily lives.
On this podcast we explore many of the issues and experiences of people who have learning, or intellectual disabilities and consider some of the innovations and interventions that are helping to develop the landscape of Equal Health, Equal Lives.
All episodes contain content that is distressing, please use discretion when listening.
* Terminology- A learning, or intellectual disability is not the same as a learning difficulty such as dyslexia, dyspraxia or dyscalculia.
© NHS Education for Scotland 2026. You can copy or reproduce the information in these podcasts for use within NHS Scotland and for non-commercial educational purposes under creative commons CC BY-NC 4.0 Deed | Attribution Non-Commercial 4.0 International | Creative commons. Use of this resource for commercial purposes is permitted only with the written permission of NHS Education for Scotland.
Episodes
Jul 20, 2026
Jul 20, 2026
23 min
In this first episode in the spiritual care series, we speak with John Swinton, Professor in Practical Theology and Pastoral Care at the University of Aberdeen. We explore what constitutes spiritual care within health and social care settings, and why it is important for people with learning disabilities. We reflect on the importance of connection and belonging, and how everyday interactions within health and social care provide an opportunity for meaning, purpose, value and hope. We do some myth busting about spiritual care – it’s not about learning a set of new skills or having a set of beliefs, it’s about thinking differently about what we do. Presence and attunement are key to this – coming back to ourselves in our interactions and upholding dignity and value for those individuals we are working with.
We touch on the pressures within health and social care and how to connect within fast paced settings, with tips on looking after our own spiritual needs.
Content advisory:
For the purposes of this podcast a learning, or intellectual disability is not the same as a learning difficulty such as dyslexia, dyspraxia or dyscalculia.
All our episodes contain content that is distressing, please use discretion when listening. Please observe our content warnings. We talk about and relate situations and life events that are distressing.
- Access the podcast Transcript of Spiritual care series, Episode 1: “The heart of Care” - What is spiritual care for people with learning disabilities? With Professor John Swinton in a Sway document.
- Had a listen? Please fill out our short Equal Health Equal Lives feedback form. Four questions to share your thoughts and suggest episode topics. Your input helps us improve and makes our podcast even better!
Resources mentioned in this episode
- Swinton, John (2021) “Becoming Friends of Time: Disability, Timefullness and Gentle Discipleship” SCM Press, London
Credits
Formatting- Public Services Delivery Scotland
Images from Frog974. Check out their other images on Adobe stock.
The information contained in this podcast is current at the point of publication, with no guarantee of future relevance.
Guest Speaker
Professor John Swinton FBA, FRSE, FISSR, RMN, RNMD
John Swinton is a prominent figure in the field of theology and healthcare. He is the Professor in Practical Theology and Pastoral Care at Kings College, University of Aberdeen and the founder of the Centre for Spirituality, Health and Disability. John is an ordained minister of the Church of Scotland and has been awarded the Michael Ramsey Prize for theological writing for his book “Becoming Friends of Time”. John’s research and teaching focus on the relationship between spirituality and health, as well as the theology of disability.
Mar 16, 2026
Mar 16, 2026
15 min
In this episode of Equal Health Equal Lives, we focus on the Scottish Annual Health Check for adults with Down’s Syndrome- why it matters, what good practice looks like, and how it can quite literally save lives.
Adults with Down’s Syndrome experience significantly poorer health outcomes and face higher risks of treatable and preventable conditions. Yet with the right preparation, communication support and follow-up, annual health checks can provide a powerful opportunity to reduce health inequalities and improve quality of life.
Joining us are Varshali Swadi, Professional Engagement and Development Lead, Down’s Syndrome Scotland, and Debbie Campbell, Family Support Service Officer, Down’s Syndrome Scotland, who share practical guidance, lived experience, insight and clear actions for professionals to deliver equitable, person-centred care.
Together, we reflect on how thoughtful follow-up, reasonable adjustments, and partnership with families and the third sector can help ensure more equitable health outcomes for adults with Down’s syndrome across Scotland.
For the purposes of this podcast a learning, or intellectual disability is not the same as a learning difficulty such as dyslexia, dyspraxia or dyscalculia.
All our episodes contain content that is distressing, please use discretion when listening. Please observe our content warnings. We talk about and relate situations and life events that are distressing.
- Access the podcast Transcript of Down's Syndrome Scotland- Supporting the health needs of adults with Down's Syndrome during the Scottish Annual Health Check in a Sway document.
- Had a listen? Please fill out our short Equal Health Equal Lives feedback form. Four questions to share your thoughts and suggest episode topics. Your input helps us improve and makes our podcast even better!
Resources mentioned in this episode
NHS Education for Scotland resources
- A collection of NES resources that you might find useful are shown in the Scottish Annual Health Check Resources Sway document.
- Once for Scotland Learning Disabilities Open registration with Turas required
Resources from Down’s Syndrome Scotland
- Annual Health Checks | Down's Syndrome Scotland
- Lets talk about Annual Health Checks – easy read (for adults with Down’s Syndrome)
- Annual Health Checks– Parents & Carers Information
- Annual Health Checks – Professionals Information
Credits
Formatting- NHS Education for Scotland
Music- Tides of the Golden Oasis- Happy Ramadan Music by BFC Music
Images from Frog974. Check out their other images on Adobe stock.
The information contained in this podcast is current at the point of publication, with no guarantee of future relevance.
Dec 2, 2025
Dec 2, 2025
24 min
Data is at the heart of Scotland’s annual health check for people with learning disabilities.
In this episode of Equal Health Equal Lives, we speak with Amanda McCarren, Learning Disabilities Policy Manager for the Scottish Government, and Angela Henderson, Data Advisor for the Scottish Government explain the importance of gathering consistent, reliable data about the health needs of people who have learning disabilities.
Angela focusses on the importance of data in challenging health inequalities and how data supports the role of services in ensuring that the workforce, carers and people with learning disabilities have the right support around them at the right time.
Amanda describes the impact of the Scottish annual health check and how the health checks are shining a light on the experiences of people with learning disabilities across Scotland.
For the purposes of this podcast a learning, or intellectual disability is not the same as a learning difficulty such as dyslexia, dyspraxia or dyscalculia.
All our episodes contain content that is distressing, please use discretion when listening. Please observe our content warnings. We talk about and relate situations and life events that are distressing.
- Access the Data and the Scottish Annual Health Check for people with learning disabilities transcript in a Sway document.
- Had a listen? Please fill out our short Equal health equal lives feedback form. Four questions to share your thoughts and suggest episode topics. Your input helps us improve and makes our podcast even better!
A collection of NES resources that you might find useful are shown in the Scottish Annual Health Check Resources Sway document.
Resources mentioned in the episode:
- An introduction to the review of Margaret Fleming Significant Case Review published by Inverclyde Council.
- The review can be downloaded as a PDF in full here: Margaret Fleming Significant Case Review.
- Easy Read version: Easy Read Margaret Fleming- Significant Case Review,
- A connected report: Margaret's Enduring Voice offers testimony from people who have learning disabilities. The report highlights the experience and evidence contributed by people who have learning disabilities, and the organisations that support them. You can read this here: Margaret's Enduring Voice report.
Credits
Music- Tides of the Golden Oasis- Happy Ramadan Music by BFC Music
Images from Frog974. Check out their other images on Adobe stock.
The information contained in this podcast is current at the point of publication, with no guarantee of future relevance.
Apr 23, 2025
Apr 23, 2025
17 min
Having a learning disability shortens your life. Only four out of ten people who have a learning disability will live until the age of 65 compared to 9 out of 10 people who don’t have a learning disability. The Scottish Annual Health Check was recently introduced to challenge the alarming health inequalities and barriers to health that are experienced by people who have a learning disability.
Health checks have been identified by people with learning disabilities as a primary intervention that has the potential to transform their lives. By providing regular up-to-date information to practitioners, identifying ill health early, reviewing existing health needs and through helping individuals to understand their own health, they are seen by many people with learning disabilities as a primary way to way for them to proactively take ownership of their health. “If you have your health, you can do anything.”
In this first episode, we explore the background to the Scottish Annual Health Check for People with Learning Disabilities with Amanda McCarren, Policy Manger for Learning Disability at the Scottish Government, Dr Isla McGlade, Professional Learning/Intellectual Disabilities and Neurodevelopmental Advisor at the Scottish Government, and Angela Henderson, Data Advisor within the Scottish Government’s Neurodivergence and Learning Disabilities unit.
For the purposes of this podcast a learning, or intellectual disability is not the same as a learning difficulty such as dyslexia, dyspraxia or dyscalculia.
All our episodes contain content that is distressing, please use discretion when listening. Please observe our content warnings. We talk about and relate situations and life events that are distressing.
- Access the Introducing the Scottish annual health check for people with learning disabilities transcript in a Sway document.
- Had a listen? Please fill out our short Equal health equal lives feedback form. Four questions to share your thoughts and suggest episode topics. Your input helps us improve and makes our podcast even better!
Resources mentioned in the episode:
NHS Education for Scotland Turas Page (login required although everyone can sign up for an account) Scottish Annual Health Checks | Turas | Learn
Scottish Government Information on the Scottish Annual Health Check for People with Learning Disabilities Annual health checks - gov.scot
Resources from Down’s Syndrome Scotland Annual Health Checks - Down's Syndrome Scotland
Credits
Music- Tides of the Golden Oasis- Happy Ramadan Music by BFC Music
Images from Frog974. Check out their other images on Adobe stock.
The information contained in this podcast is current at the point of publication, with no guarantee of future relevance.
Meet Your Hosts
Dr Allyson McDougall
Dr Allyson McDougall is a Clinical Psychologist in the Learning Disabilities Service in NHS Ayrshire and Arran, working for many years in the Community Learning Disability Team to support the psychological wellbeing of people with learning disabilities. Allyson’s other role is Principal Educator in the Psychology directorate at NHS Education for Scotland (NES), where she works closely with multi-professional colleagues within the NES Learning Disability Team to develop and deliver education and training across the workforce.
Dr Doug McConachie
Dr Doug McConachie is a clinical psychologist with the Learning Disabilities Service at NHS Lothian. He has extensive experience working with young people and families to support the mental well-being of individuals with learning disabilities. In addition to his clinical work, Doug is a Principal Educator at NHS Education for Scotland. In this role, he collaborates with a team of multi-disciplinary professionals to develop and provide training and educational resources for those working with learning disabilities and neurodiversity. His goal, along with his team, is to enhance the skills and knowledge of the workforce, ultimately benefiting the individuals they support.
“I split my working week between NHS Education for Scotland’s Learning Disability, Autism, and Neurodiversity workstreams and my role as a clinical psychologist with adults with learning disabilities in NHS Lothian. I love the variety in my work, from direct clinical practice to collaborating with wider support systems to improve quality of life and tackle inequalities faced by people with learning disabilities. I am also passionate about teaching and training, and I enjoy finding creative ways to develop learning resources that are both meaningful and engaging.”
Cat Jamieson
I’m a Learning Disabilities nurse, Epilepsy Nurse and Queen’s Nurse and share my time between working with people who have profound learning disabilities and complex health needs and their families and carers at the charity Promoting a More Inclusive Society (PAMIS) as Director of Digital and Health, and at NHS Education for Scotland (NES) as a Senior Educator on the Learning Disabilities workstream.
I am a carer and have considerable experience working with people with profound learning disabilities and their family carers across diverse settings. I particularly value how the interchange between the experience and expertise of people with lived experience and the professional expertise of the workforce comes together to shape successful collaboration and co-production. This interest led me to undertake postgraduate qualifications in Complex Communication, Multisensory Storytelling, and Augmentative and Alternative Communication to help me to support creative and inclusive approaches to collaboration and quality improvement.
I am proud to be one of eight Queen’s Nurses involved in the development of an award-winning resource to support people with learning disabilities within the Justice Service. The animation “Think Could” is now used as part of training within justice services throughout Scotland.
Claire Wakefield
I have been practicing as an Occupational Therapist in the field of Child and Adolescent Mental Health for over 13 years, 12 of these as an Advanced Practitioner in the Intellectual Disability Team and more recently as a Team Lead Occupational Therapist in CAMHS East lothian.
Additionally, for the last 2 years I have been a Senior Educator in NES within the Learning Disabilities team. This role involves developing and delivering training and education around key topics, relevant to the workforce. My passion has always been to support young people with learning disabilities to lead a meaningful and fulfilling life, tapping into their unique characteristics and motivation. When we truly connect and adopt a strength-based approach, people with a learning disability are valued and society can transform. This perspective underpins all the work I do.