The BABEL project (Balancing Best Interests in Healthcare, Ethics and Law) explores healthcare decisions that are made for another person. 

This may be needed because the person is not able to decide for themselves, cannot understand the decision, or is too young to make the decision. This means that a person lacks 'capacity' or 'competence' to make the decision. When a decision like this is made, it is usually called making a decision in the person’s best interests.  

We are keen to explore what this means, who is involved, how such decisions are made, and how they should be made in the future. 

The research team

This study is run by a team based in the Centre for Ethics in Medicine at the University of Bristol. The study is funded by the Wellcome Trust.

We want to speak with people who have experience of being involved in best interests decisions for children and adults. You might have had a decision made in your best interests or be a healthcare professional, a family member or friend of a patient or ex-patient, a carer, or an advocate who has helped make a decision about someone else.  

The study involves talking to a researcher, either one-to-one or in a group. This might be in person or online. We will try to allow you to take part in the way you most prefer. A friend or family member may also join in to support you if you wish. You can read more about what is involved on our Participant Information Sheet. If you would like this information in a different format, pleast contact Dr Giles Birchley, at giles.birchley@bristol.ac.uk.

BABEL Participant information sheet (PDF, 275kB)

How you might be able to help