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 with a focus on Mental Health.   

We also spoke to Rory Keyes, a self-advocate, Researcher and Project Worker at the Centre, who shared their lived experience accessing mental health care.  

Content Warning: This episode contains stories about mental health care, including mentions of trauma, medical mistreatment, or discrimination and could be distressing for some listeners.  

If you are uncomfortable, please take a break or skip this episode.  

If you’ve been affected by anything discussed in this episode, please know you're not alone. Support is available. 

If you’re in crisis or need someone to talk to, you can contact Lifeline at 13 11 14 in Australia.  

Excellence in Practice: Voices for Better Care is a podcast by the National Centre of Excellence in Intellectual Disability Health (the Centre).

You can follow the Centre on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Your hosts for this episode are Ricky Kremer and Raylene Griffiths.

This podcast includes artwork by Emily Crockford at Studio A.

To contact us about the podcast please email: [email protected]

The Excellence in Practice: Voices for Better Care Podcast is intended for healthcare professionals, and the comments are of a general nature. The views, information or opinions expressed by individuals in these podcast episodes are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Centre.

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 Care.  

We also spoke to Beck Biddle, who is a member of the Centre’s Learn and Lead Group and has worked as a self-advocate for disability rights for over 10 years.  

Excellence in Practice: Voices for Better Care is a podcast by the National Centre of Excellence in Intellectual Disability Health (the Centre).

You can follow the Centre on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Your hosts for this episode are Ricky Kremer and Raylene Griffiths.

This podcast includes artwork by Emily Crockford at Studio A.

To contact us about the podcast please email: [email protected]

The Excellence in Practice: Voices for Better Care Podcast is intended for healthcare professionals, and the comments are of a general nature. The views, information or opinions expressed by individuals in these podcast episodes are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Centre.

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 part, we will be speaking to Rachel Browne, who will share the story of her son Finlay Browne, who tragically passed away after not being able to get the care he needed in the health system. 

In Part 1, of this episode, we spoke to Dr Jessica Smith, who shared stories and experiences about bias in healthcare and how healthcare professionals can challenge them to provide better care for people with intellectual disability.    

Excellence in Practice: Voices for Better Care is a podcast by the National Centre of Excellence in Intellectual Disability Health (the Centre).

You can follow the Centre on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Your hosts for this episode are Ricky Kremer and Raylene Griffiths.

This podcast includes artwork by Emily Crockford at Studio A.

To contact us about the podcast please email: [email protected]

The Excellence in Practice: Voices for Better Care Podcast is intended for healthcare professionals, and the comments are of a general nature. The views, information or opinions expressed by individuals in these podcast episodes are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Centre.

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 Jessica Smith who is a member of the Centre’s council, she is also a rehabilitation physician and clinical lead researcher in models of care supporting general health needs of adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities in the Southern Adelaide Local Health Network.  

In part 2, we will be speaking to Rachel Browne, who will share the story of her son Finlay Browne, who tragically passed away after not being able to get the care he needed in the health care system.  

If you enjoyed this episode, click 'follow' on your preferred podcast app. 

Excellence in Practice: Voices for Better Care is a podcast by the National Centre of Excellence in Intellectual Disability Health (the Centre).

You can follow the Centre on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Your hosts for this episode are Ricky Kremer and Raylene Griffiths.

This podcast includes artwork by Emily Crockford at Studio A.

To contact us about the podcast please email: [email protected]

The Excellence in Practice: Voices for Better Care Podcast is intended for healthcare professionals, and the comments are of a general nature. The views, information or opinions expressed by individuals in these podcast episodes are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Centre.

At the National Centre of Excellence in Intellectual Disability Health (the Centre), we are working to make health care better for people with intellectual disability. 

People with intellectual disability often face different health challenges, but too often, they don’t get the care they deserve.  

This podcast is for healthcare professionals who want to improve their practice when working with people with intellectual disability. 

In each episode, hosts Ricky Kremer and Raylene Griffiths speak with experts, healthcare professionals, and people with lived experience. They share real stories and practical advice to help you build your skills and confidence. 

Each episode explores a key topic in health care, showing what good care looks like—and what still needs to change. 

Better care starts with better understanding. By combining lived experience with expert insight, this podcast supports you to deliver more inclusive, respectful, and effective care. 

If you want to give better care, and help make health care fairer for everyone—this podcast is for you. 

Subscribe now and join us as we work together to improve health care for people with intellectual disability. 

Excellence in Practice: Voices for Better Care is a podcast by the National Centre of Excellence in Intellectual Disability Health (the Centre).

You can follow the Centre on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Your hosts for this episode are Ricky Kremer and Raylene Griffiths.

This podcast includes artwork by Emily Crockford at Studio A.

To contact us about the podcast please email: [email protected]

The Excellence in Practice: Voices for Better Care Podcast is intended for healthcare professionals, and the comments are of a general nature. The views, information or opinions expressed by individuals in these podcast episodes are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Centre.