What we do

Assessment

• Triage referrals by assessing all incoming referrals to find out whether there is a risk that can be managed by adult speech and language therapy, and ascertain how urgent the risk is.
• Re-assess and evaluate interventions with further advice as required, including ongoing monitoring where this is right.
• Assess and support clients needing assistive technology.

Advice

• Give evidence-based advice for diagnosing, treating and managing dysphagia and communication disorders, (not all options described will be available locally) promoting health, and preventing disease.
• Provide information and education to clients on how to achieve goals.
• Provide education on how to manage a clinical condition or prevent complications related to the condition.

Support

• Develop appropriate care plans.
• Negotiate and agree goals with clients and their carers, including contributing to the interdisciplinary goal-planning process.
• Facilitate a smooth transition for adults needing ongoing adult speech and language therapy when they are being transferred from other services (e.g. paediatric team, an acute setting).
• Participate in multidisciplinary meetings to discuss client care plans.
• Work with other agencies to integrate adult speech and language therapy into other services.
• Develop and review written information for clients and other health professionals.
• Provide onward referral to appropriate services for clients whose needs cannot be safely met within the adult speech and language therapy team.

Treatment

• Provide a specialist adult speech and language therapy to clients that meet the referral criteria.
• Offer group and individual treatment, and education appropriate for the needs of the client.