Australia’s aged care sector has had a tough few years, including a Royal Commission to understand how things need to change. We spoke to Erin Bennett about her experience as a researcher and designer and how she advocates for change.

Erin Bennett works in the Social and Innovation Team at Uniting, one of Australia’s largest not-for-profit providers of services in aged care, disability, community, early learning, education and training. Erin’s team looks at systemic issues in the senior care space and how design innovation can create social impact.

What role do designers have when working in the health care space? As an industry that moves slowly and is highly regulated, it can be challenging for designers and consultants to innovate without meeting resistance. How can designers overcome consultant fatigue to get achieve meaningful change?

Listen now to our conversation with Pete Overy, who shares what he sees as the role of designers in healthcare, and how to navigate the tension between innovation and the need for safe practices.

What does it mean to deliver care without judgement? For some marginalised populations, it can be the difference between good health outcomes and devastating ones.

Listen now to our conversation with Dr Phillip Read, who shares how challenging the status quo and applying a harm reduction framework has lead to better health outcomes for whole groups of people who might otherwise have avoided seeking out care.

TW: This episode includes some discussion of addiction and overdose.