Adult Speech and Language Therapy Service

“Communication is more important and its disruption more disastrous than most of us can imagine.  We take our ability to communicate for granted, but we should not.  In communicating we share ourselves, and those we communicate with communicate with others, forming an extensive network that we call society.” (Starkweather, C.F. Speech and Language. Principles and Processes of Behaviour Change. Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1983.

What we do

Speech and Language Therapists (SLTs) are specialists in communication and swallowing disorders.  The Wiltshire Adult Speech and Language Therapy team offer assessment, treatment and advice for those affected by communication and/or swallowing difficulties.  We work with adults aged 16 and over.

Who we are

We are a team of 5 SLTs and one SLT assistant.  We provide a service to inpatients and outpatients across Wiltshire covering a wide area from Warminster in the south, up to Malmesbury in the north, centrally through Devizes and over to Marlborough and Tidworth in the east.

The service we offer

We offer an inpatient service to the community hospitals. We offer an outpatient service from both community hospitals and other community locations.  The team also visit residential and nursing homes as well as providing home visits if appropriate.

We work with people who have a range of communication and swallowing problems.  These problems can be due to:

  • Stroke and Head Injury
  • Progressive Disorders including Parkinson’s Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Motor Neurone Disease
  • Difficulties with voice
  • Stammering
  • Head and Neck Cancer
  • Mental Health
  • Other problems that may be related to the ageing process

The SLT team aim to develop a programme of individual care to enable our clients to achieve their full potential in their communication and swallowing.  We work closely with the client and their family and carers.  We link with other Wiltshire Health Services such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, dietetics, nursing, social services, GPs and mental health.

How to access the service

A medical referral is not necessary for problems with communication.  Currently we require a medical referral for issues with swallowing.  Please contact your GP or consultant to request a referral for swallowing.  However the SLT team is happy to accept enquiries from clients and their families or carers.  Inpatients are usually referred by the medical team.

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