Our Services A - Z - Speech and Language Therapy (SLT)

Speech and Language Therapists (SLTs) provide life-improving treatment, support and care for adults who have difficulties with communication, eating, drinking, or swallowing. Our SLT team assess, treat, and support inpatients with speech, language, and communication problems. We also assess, treat, and develop personalised plans to support people who have eating and swallowing problems. Using specialist skills, we work directly with patients and their carers, and provide them with tailored support. We also work closely with other health professionals, such as doctors, nurses, and other allied health professionals to develop individual management plans or treatment programmes. SLTs support adults with communication and/or swallowing difficulties as a result of medical conditions, such as stroke, spinal injury, head and neck cancer, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, motor neurone disease and dementia.

Patients are referred to our team by medical, nursing or therapy teams. If you have concerns about your communication or swallowing while you are a patient with us, please speak to your doctor, nurse, or therapist, who will contact us if appropriate. If you are in community and have concerns regarding your communication and/ or swallow, please contact your GP.

At Southport and Ormskirk Hospitals, our SLT Team works across five main areas. Please see below for our services, service leads and contact details.

• Inpatient acute medical: contact heather.woodcock@merseywestlancs.nhs.uk
• Inpatient stroke and acute neurology: lorna.smith@merseywestlancs.nhs.uk
• Early Supported Discharge: heather.graham@merseywestlancs.nhs.uk
• Regional Spinal injury Unit: sarah.morgan3@merseywestlancs.nhs.uk
• Critical Care: sarah.morgan3@merseywestlancs.nhs.uk

Alternatively, please call 01704 704361 (General Medical and Surgical) or 01704 704940 (Stroke and Acute Neuro) and leave an answer phone message. We aim to check messages daily, Monday to Friday.