Increased life expectancy allied to increasing numbers of people with learning disabilities living in the community means that more people with learning disabilities are having their health needs met in acute general medical services. In the context of a person-centred approach, this article examines the potential problems that may arise in all healthcare settings which pose barriers to effective healthcare delivery. These include perceptions and attitudes of healthcare staff, issues of consent and communication. It proceeds to outline solutions that enable these barriers to be overcome. Such solutions centre around addressing communication difficulties and issues of consent as well as developing the education of healthcare professionals. It concludes with a case study that explains how the theoretical principles may be applied sensitively in a practice situation.