Speech and language therapy
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5Speech and language therapists work with patients who have impaired speech, language or voice problems, or a combination of these. They can also help patients who have difficulty with feeding and swallowing.
These impairments and difficulties can have numerous and varied causes and be very complex. As a result, speech and language therapists work across a wide range of clinical specialities from ear, nose and throat surgery, maxillo-facial surgery, neurology, neurosurgery, critical care and care of the elderly to name but a few.
The therapists work across the multidisciplinary framework to assess, diagnose, manage and treat patients as well as offering advice, training and education to colleagues, carers and families.
Speech therapists are able to conduct video-fluoroscopic radiology and fibre-endoscopic studies to assist with diagnoses and therapy. Intervention aims to help patients function to their maximum potential and minimise the difficulties associated with these complex conditions and enable them to participate effectively in their daily environments.
The speech and language therapy service at St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust leads a tracheostomy clinic for outpatients in the community living with tracheostomy tubes. The clinic provides support for patients to be self caring with tube changes and assistance when problems arise.
The clinic includes a speech therapist and nurse and is run concurrently with an ear, nose and throat consultant’s clinic should rapid medical access be required.
Inpatient services
| SLT Team | Contact | Site |
|---|---|---|
| Acute | 0208 725 3007 | Tooting |
| Neurosciences | 0208 725 4492 | Tooting |
| Stroke - Tooting site | 0208 725 4101 | Tooting |
| Head and Neck/ENT (Inpatient and Outpatient) | 0208 725 1163 | Tooting |
| Neurorehabilitation | 0208 266 6519/6549 | Tooting |
| Neurorehabilitation | 0208 487 6145/6480/6367 | Queen Mary's |
| Older People’s Service (Mary Seacole Ward) | 0208 487 6146 | Queen Mary's |
| Inpatient paediatrics – Tooting site | 0208 725 1887 | Tooting |
Outpatient/Community
Wandsworth GP patients
Please note that aside from Head and Neck Oncology and Voice services there are no other Speech and Language Therapy adult outpatient or community services based at St. George’s Hospital. Please ensure referrals are sent directly to the relevant team below.
Other CCGs
If the patient’s GP address is outside of Wandsworth, please consider asking the GP to make or forward the referral as we do not have details of all the surrounding area SLT teams.
| SLT Team | Contact | Referral criteria |
|---|---|---|
| St George’s Community Neuro Team | St John’s Therapy Centre 162 St Johns Hill Battersea London SW11 1SW | Aged 16 and over Neuro diagnosis (or symptoms highly suggestive of a neuro condition) Communication (including LSVT), Swallowing Exceptions: Latter stage dementia and old/chronic stroke (seen by CLCH-MI) |
| CLCH Maximising Independence | clcht.wandsworthspa@nhs.net | Aged 16 and over All adult non-neuro referrals Domicillary service only Exceptions: Will accept old stroke and more advanced stage dementia |
| St George’s Wandsworth Learning Disabilities Health Team | Tooting Health Clinic 63 Bevill Allen Close London SW178PX | Diagnosis of LD Communication, Swallowing |
| St George’s Brysson Whyte Rehab Unit | Queen Mary’s Hospital Roehampton Lane London | Aged 65 and over No domiciliary service Score 4 or over on the CGA swallow screen Swallowing / Communication relating to - Presbyphagia (Elderly swallow) - Frailty - Parkinson’s Disease with cognitive decline (this can include non-Wandsworth patients) - COPD in combination with any of the above (e.g. over 65) - Dementia - Decompensation from a recent illness / hospital admission - Chronic CVAs / TIAs in combination with any of the above clinical presentations (e.g. new / progressing cognitive changes, Dementia) |
| St George’s Voice Service | St George’s Hospital | Paediatric and Adult Voice Requires ENT assessment prior to referral No domiciliary service |
Contact details
020 8725 4753
Location
Treatments
- Paediatric and adult inpatient assessment and treatment of swallowing, communication and voice disorders
- Inpatient adult neurorehabilitation as part of the Wolfson Neurorehabilitation Unit
- Outpatient assessment and treatment for communication and swallowing problems as a result of Head & Neck cancer, including laryngectomy and tracheostomy care
- Outpatient voice assessment and treatment
Referrals
Inpatient referrals can be made by any member of the multidisciplinary team.
Outpatient referrals are accepted for the Head & Neck cancer and Voice services only. These are accepted as a referral letter from the GP following assessment by an ENT Consultant. Referrals can also be made directly by a St George’s ENT Consultant. Referrals should be sent to the Therapies department.
