Speech and language therapy

Speech and language therapists (S&LTs) are allied health professionals working with children and adults who have difficulties with communication, or with eating, drinking or swallowing.

They work closely with parents, carers and other professionals, such as teachers, nurses, occupational therapists and doctors.

There are nearly 14,000 S&LTs in the UK, based in a variety of different settings including the NHS, schools, charities, and private practice.  They work in community health centres, hospital wards, outpatient departments, mainstream schools, special schools, assessment units, day centres, and in people’s homes.

Two teams of S&LTs work with in patients at Southport District General Hospital.  They work with patients who have:

•  Had a stroke or have a newly diagnosed neurological condition

• Any other diagnosis such dementia, respiratory disorders and cancer

We aim to ensure that patients are able to swallow safely, and this may involve changes to their diet.

Referrals

Referrals are via the medical teams on the wards at both hospitals

Useful links

Stroke Association: www.stroke.org.uk

Motor Neurone Disease Association: www.mndassociation.org

Parkinsons UK: www.parkinsons.org.uk

Dementia UK: www.dementiauk.org

Multiple Sclerosis Society: mssociety.org.uk

Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists www.rcslt.org

Service lead

Lorna Smith (stroke)

Liz Jones (medical / surgical service)

Contact details

Tel: 01704 547471 ext 4940 (stroke) or ext 5115 (medical/ surgical)

Email: liz.jones11@nhs.net