Speech and language therapy

Speech language therapists work with patients (aged 16 or greater) who have difficult speaking and swallowing.

They work with patients' families and other healthcare professionals to assess, diagnose and treat:

• speech disorders (dysarthria and dyspraxia): articulation, fluency, motor
• voice disorders (dysphonia): quality, volume, pitch, resonance
• language disorders (aphasia): comprehension and oral and written expression 
• swallowing disorders (dysphagia): saliva management, chewing and swallowing
• cognitive aspects of communication: attention, memory, problem solving

They provide inpatient and outpatient appointments as well as community visits.

Referrals for speech and language therapy are made by:

• GPs
• hospital specialists
• private healthcare specialists
• rest home staff