Episode 5: Improving Health care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People with Intellectual Disability

Reproductive and sexual health care is an important part of health and well-being. Healthcare professionals have a role in making this care work well for people with an intellectual disability. This includes understanding their needs and helping them get the care they need. In this episode, we spoke to Deborah Bateson, a Professor of Practice at the Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney. Deborah has worked in the area of sexual and reproductive health for over 20-year...

People with intellectual disability experience the same mental health needs as anyone else. Unfortunately, they often face more barriers when it comes to identifying that there is a problem, getting support, and accessing effective treatment. In this episode, we spoke to Rebecca Koncz, the UNSW Chair of Intellectual Disability Mental Health within the National Centre of Excellence in Intellectual Disability Health (the Centre). She is also an experienced clinician and researcher ...

Good communication is important for safe, respectful and effective healthcare. It’s important for healthcare professionals to learn how to improve their communication when working with people with intellectual disability. In this episode, we spoke to Nick Lennox, who is a member of the Centre’s council and an experienced clinician, professor and researcher who is currently the Senior Medical Advisor to the Primary Care Division of the Department of Health, Disability, and Aged Ca...

Unfair attitudes or assumptions can influence how people are treated in healthcare. It can mean that people with an intellectual disability sometimes get worse health care. Biases aren’t always intentional, but they can have serious, even life-threatening consequences. It is important for healthcare professionals to be aware of these biases and learn about how to make sure everyone is getting the right care. This is Part 2 of this episode. In this p...

Unfair attitudes or assumptions can influence how people are treated in healthcare. It can mean that people with intellectual disability sometimes get worse health care. Biases aren’t always intentional, but they can have serious, even life-threatening consequences. It is important for healthcare professionals to be aware of these biases and learn about how to make sure everyone is getting the right care. In part 1 of this episode, we will be speaking to Dr Jes...