Neurodivergent and disabled families, including those from underrepresented communities, have less access to healthcare services. They have poorer health and life expectancy as a result.
In this episode, we speak to Mary Mulvey Oates, Contact’s Manager for Early Years Participation and Insights, who co-led an 18-month research project to explore what can be done to improve access to healthcare for these communities.
We also speak to Donna Phipps, Chair of LivPaC (Liverpool Parents and Carers Forum) and a parent carer herself, who shares lived-experience tips for navigating appointments, preparing for hospital visits, and advocating for your child’s needs.
We discuss:
•\tWhy some families face greater barriers to healthcare access
•\tHow co-produced research is helping shape better NHS services
•\tPractical advice for parent carers accessing healthcare for their child
•\tHow healthcare professionals can make small, meaningful changes that improve equity and trust
If you’re a parent carer, healthcare professional, or anyone passionate about inclusive healthcare, this episode offers practical insights, powerful stories, and real solutions to help every family get the care they deserve.
Listen now to hear how compassion and collaboration can transform the healthcare experience for disabled and neurodivergent children and their families.
Read the full transcript here.
Resources and links
Contact’s information and advice for families with disabled children
Contact’s By Your Side project
Find your local Parent Carer Forum
Read more about the research project
About the host
Contact is a national charity that offers families with disabled children expert advice and a place to support each other – helping them thrive, access essential services, and campaign for a more inclusive society.
The views expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the NIHR or the Department of Health and Social Care.
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