Speech & Language Therapy

Overview

The Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) service anticipates and responds to the needs of individuals or at-risk groups who may experience speech, language, communication and/or swallowing difficulties. The service works in partnership with these individuals, their families and with other members of the multidisciplinary team to reduce the impact of these difficulties on people’s well-being and their ability to participate in daily life. These problems may have been caused by a range of disorders and disabilities including:

• Stroke
• Degenerative neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s Disease and Multiple Sclerosis
• Head Injury
• Head and neck cancer
• Other cancers
• Voice disorders
• Dementia
• COPD
• Post-surgical complications
• Tracheostomy
• Swallowing problems associated with the frail elderly
• Learning disability

The SLT department at Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust provides an inpatient and outpatient service as well as a specialist Macmillan service working with those with a cancer diagnosis.

Training and Education

The SLT service is involved in training other staff groups to screen for dysphagia and to help manage patients with communication and swallowing difficulties. We present at a number of study days including:

• Preceptor Nurse training
• Registered Nurse study days
• Tracheostomy study days
• Healthcare Assistant training

We welcome students on placement with the SLT department and undertake training as Practice Educators to support this.

For SLT staff we offer lots of training and development opportunities. Newly qualified SLTs complete our in-house dysphagia training programme with the support of a dedicated dysphagia supervisor. Simultaneously they will work through their professional Royal College of Speech and Language Therapy competencies again with the support of a dedicated Preceptor. We also offer regular CPD sessions and all staff are supported to attend training, review journals, participate in audits, and undertake service development projects. In addition to in-house teaching, qualified staff are able to access their CPD funds from HEE to support access to specialist courses.