Who do we see?
Communication and swallowing difficulties can be caused by a variety of conditions including:
- Dementia
- Stroke
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Head Injury
- Huntington’s Disease
- Respiratory conditions
- Motor Neurone Disease
- Head and Neck Cancer
Why you have been referred
You have been referred to see a Speech and Language Therapist because you have been having difficulties with your:
- Speech/language/communication and/or
- Swallowing/eating and drinking
What to expect
You will be asked to attend a clinic for your Speech and Language Therapy appointment. The department can only carry out home visits for those who are completely housebound and therefore unable to attend a clinic. For home visit appointments, you will be offered either a morning or afternoon slot.
During your initial appointment, the therapist will usually assess your swallowing and/or communication, to determine what future management can be offered.
The therapist will want to see you eating and drinking something as part of their swallowing assessment. Please ensure you bring something to eat and drink to clinic or have some food available at home.
Appointments usually last between 45 minutes to one hour.
Following the initial appointment, the therapist will decide which will be the most beneficial way to help you. You may be offered a session of advice or a block of therapy.
Making the most of your therapy
To maximise the benefit of Speech and Language Therapy, it is important that you:
- Attend all sessions as arranged
- Complete any work given to you in between appointments
Missed appointments
If you are unable to attend your appointment, please contact the community Speech and Language Therapy team immediately on 0161 206 2333, so that we can reschedule your appointment.
Failure to cancel appointments or contact the Speech and Language team may result in you being discharged from the service.
Signs of swallowing difficulties
The following are signs that someone might have a swallowing difficulty.
- Coughing/choking
- Chest infection
- Difficulty chewing
- Slow to swallow and meals taking longer
- Storing food in the cheeks
- Drooling
- Breathless after swallowing
- Wet/gurgly voice
- Problems with taking medication
- Weight loss
Please contact us if you, or someone you care for are showing these symptoms.
Signs of communication difficulties
The following are signs that someone might have a communication difficulty
- Difficulties understanding spoken or written language
- Difficulty speaking and getting the right words out
- New spelling and/or reading difficulties
- Difficulties saying words consistently
- Slurred or unclear speech
Please contact us if you, or someone you care for are showing these symptoms.
Contact details
If you have any concerns, please contact us on 0161 206 2333.
It is important to us to find out if you think we have done something well or if you have suggestions about how we can do something differently. You can also email us on adult.salfordslt@nca.nhs.uk
Equally if you are unhappy with the service provided and have a complaint, please contact Patient Advice and Liaison Service on 0161 206 2003.
Date of Review: January 2025
Date of Next Review: January 2027
Ref No: PI_ DP_1681 (Salford)