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Joanna Doherty¹, Maisie Knight-Davies¹, Freya Gomes¹

¹Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, Taunton, UK.

Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities : JARID

|May 4, 2026

Abstract

Background:

People with intellectual disabilities have the right to access mainstream healthcare services. However, research highlights barriers to accessing services and recommends reasonable adjustments to improve this.

Method:

Focus groups were held with 21 staff from adult mental health services, including the intellectual disability service in Somerset, UK, to identify barriers and solutions to improve access. Reflexive thematic analysis was used, and change ideas were generated.

Results:

Four themes were identified: service barriers to making reasonable adjustments, the need for adequate training, the need for joint working, and reasonable adjustments in practice. Staff reported awareness of adjustments but variable knowledge and confidence in implementing them. Participants highlighted service constraints and wanted increased flexibility, joint working, and clearer record keeping.

Conclusions:

From the identified barriers, change ideas were developed and solutions proposed to improve service access. Future service improvements and research need to meaningfully involve people with intellectual disabilities.

Keywords:

intellectual disabilities mental health qualitative methods reasonable adjustments reflexive thematic analysis

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