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. Our SLT team have access to onsite equipment to objectively assess swallowing difficulties using FEES (Fibreoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of swallowing) and Videofluoroscopy (x-ray of swallowing) where indicated. 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 (as inpatients on our Stroke Unit and in the community whilst under the Early Supported Discharge Team for 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.