Assisted dying and people with a learning disability
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exploring understanding and perspectives on assisted dying with people with a learning disability: a pilot study
IRAS ID
368126
Contact name
Irene Tuffrey-Wijne
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Kingston University London
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 6 months, 0 days
Research summary
The Assisted Dying (AD) Bill is currently being discussed in Parliament and, if it becomes law, could allow some terminally ill adults, including people with a learning disability who are assessed as having capacity, to ask for help to end their life. There are concerns about how this would work in practice for people with a learning disability, particularly around how to talk about assisted dying, and the impact of different kinds of pressure or influence on decision-making.
This pilot study will gain insights from people with a learning disability on the topic of AD using qualitative methods. Interviews and focus groups will be held with up to 20 adults with a learning disability. Our study team includes researchers with learning disabilities who will support every stage of the project, including data analysis which will use a modified framework approach. We will write an academic paper from the findings and develop a research proposal for a larger study. Our findings will be presented to relevant groups including people with a learning disability, advocacy groups, families and carers, academics, and health and social care professionals. This work will be supported by the Down Syndrome Research Foundation and a Research Advisory Group.REC name
Social Care REC
REC reference
26/IEC08/0005
Date of REC Opinion
31 Mar 2026
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion