The Speech and language therapy service provides assessment, treatment, support and care for people of all ages who have difficulties with communication or eating, drinking and swallowing (dysphagia).
Speech and language therapists (SLTs) are allied health professionals, and are registered with the Health & Care Professions Council and the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists. The team also includes SLT technical instructors (TIs) - specially trained support workers providing delegated SLT support across a range of settings. The SLT team work with patients, carers and families, and other professionals, such as teachers, nurses, dietitians, occupational therapists and doctors to provide a person-centred approach.
Speech and language therapy benefits people of all ages, for example:
Babies: SLTs support premature babies and infants with conditions such as cerebral palsy, cleft palate and Down’s Syndrome from very early in life who have difficulties with drinking, swallowing and early play and communication skills.
Children: SLTs support children with speech, language, communication and eating and drinking difficulties. These sometimes exist alongside other conditions such as learning difficulties and hearing problems.
Adults with learning difficulties: SLTs support adults who have developmental conditions such as learning disabilities, autism and Down’s Syndrome, who have communication or eating, drinking or swallowing difficulties
Adults: SLTs support adults with communication and/or swallowing difficulties resulting from conditions, such as stroke, head and neck cancer, Parkinson’s disease, motor neurone disease and dementia.
To contact the speech and language team please see the contact details for the counties below: