Speech & Language Therapy
Speech and Language Therapists are specialists in communication and swallowing disorders. We offer assessment, treatment and advice for adults (16+) who are affected by communication and/or swallowing difficulties on an inpatient and outpatient basis.
In collaboration with the patient and working closely with family and carers, and generally work as part of a multi-disciplinary team we will develop a programme of care tailored to maximise the communication and swallowing potential of each individual referred to us.
Services we offer
Voice Therapy
Assessment, advice and therapy as an outpatient (scan voice leaflet)
Stammering
Assessment and treatment using solution focused brief therapy (scan leaflet)
Swallowing (Dysphagia)
We work with people who have impaired swallowing function due to stroke or other neurological conditions, frail elderly people and people who have tracheostomies. In addition we:
- organise x-ray video swallows—video fluoroscopy (scan leaflets)
- provide training for nurses in dysphagia screening
- provide training in safe eating and drinking techniques, in conjunction with the volunteer services and dietitians, as part of the dining companion’s project
Communication
Speech and language therapists assess, advise and treat people who have communication impairments due to stroke, head injury and other neurological deficits. People may present as having slurred speech and/or difficulty understanding what is said to them and formulating their thoughts into spoken language.
Assistive Communication Service
The department has some simple communication aids for loan and is able to produce low-tech aids according to a patient’s needs. Where indicated, we can refer patients to our specialist Assistive Communication Service at Parsons Green Medical Centre for further in-depth assessment.
Stroke Team
Speech and Language Therapists are members of the multi-disciplinary stroke team within the hospital and have close links with the Community rehabilitation Teams.
Student Training
We train speech and language therapy students from Universities in and around London. At all times the department aims to make therapy as functional and as useful for day to day life as possible. This means that we work actively with patients and families/carers to enable them to set their own goals for treatment. This ensures that both patients and therapists are working together and that help is targeted to the areas that are important to the patient.
How to access services
A medical referral is not necessary and people may self refer. The department would prefer a medical referral from a GP or consultant if someone is coming to see us with a swallowing problem. Inpatients are usually referred by their named nurse or medical team.
Links
FAQs
How long is a speech and language therapy session?
The initial session is an hour. Subsequent sessions may be from 30 minutes to an hour in length. Your speech & language therapist will discuss this with you.
What do I do if I cannot attend an appointment?
You must contact the department as soon as possible. We do not overbook appointments. If you fail an appointment with no notification you will receive a letter asking you to re-book your appointment. If you fail to respond to this letter you will be discharged.
