Speech and Language Therapy

Speech and language therapists (SLTs) aim to reduce the impact speech, language, voice and swallowing problems have on an individual’s wellbeing and ability to participate in daily life by working with patients and their carers/families and other professionals.

People who undergo speech and language therapy may be experiencing communication and/or swallowing problems as a result of medical conditions, such as stroke, head injury, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, motor neurone disease, dementia or head and neck cancer.

SLTs work with inpatients to assess their swallowing and communication, and offer strategies and treatments to help them improve. They also provide advice to families and carers to assist with rehabilitation.

A Fibreoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES) and videofluoroscopy (using a dye in liquid and food that you swallow that shows up in Xrays) service is also provided for inpatients with swallowing problems.

SLTs often deliver training to doctors, nurses, student nurses and healthcare assistants around communication and swallowing.

For more information about disabled access for this service, please click here.

Services

Patients are assessed and treated in the setting most appropriate to their needs. This could be:

• In an inpatient ward;
• A FEES (Fibreoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing) and Videofluoroscopy service is also provided for inpatients with swallowing problems.
• As an outpatient in the Speech and Language Therapy Department;
• In the Ear, Nose and Throat clinic, where there are joint clinics for voice and head and neck cancer, and a speech and language therapist-led clinic.
• In the X-ray Department, where videofluoroscopy swallowing assessments take place.

When an outpatient has been assessed, a short report is sent to the referring consultant and GP.

After an outpatient has been discharged from hospital, and if ongoing treatment is required, a community speech and language therapy follow-up appointment will be arranged.

Patient Stories

Please feel free to share your experiences of this service. Please e-mail your views to swbh.comms@nhs.net

Patient Information

Patient information leaflets
Advice for children with voice problems
Voice care during radiotherapy
What to do when your laryngectomy valve leaks 

Contacts

Speech and Language Therapy at City and Sandwell Hospitals
0121 507 4486
Monday – Friday, 8.00am – 6.00pm

Service Lead for Speech & Language Therapy, Nutrition & Dietetics Lucy Wood