SPEECH AND LANGUAGE THERAPY

The speech and language therapy service is a part-time service, which is provided by the local community speech and language therapy department.

Medical and nursing staff refer patients to the speech and language therapy department. Staff provide assessment and advice on communication and swallowing difficulties to staff, patients and their families. This advice might include detailed information on how and what to feed a patient to prevent them from developing a chest infection, or tips and strategies on how to improve communication with the patient. Families can ask to see the speech and language therapist by either speaking to a nurse or phoning and leaving a message on extension 2200.

Therapy for communication difficulties is sometimes provided but if this is not possible staff will communicate with the speech and language therapy department responsible for the patients care when they leave hospital.

A speech and language therapist is normally available in the hospital at the following times:

A speech and language therapist also provides an out-patient clinic to patients with voice problems ON Wednesday afternoon. Patients who attend this clinic, must first be seen by an ENT consultant.