Speech and Language Therapy

Speech and Language Therapists work with people with speech and swallowing difficulties.

Speech and Language Therapists are an integral part of the Stroke Unit multi disciplinary team at Bournemouth Hospital. They usually wear a white tunic with yellow or pink trim and black trousers. They work across the Stroke pathway including the Hyperacute service, rehabilitation pathways and into the Early Supported Discharge team or Community Rehab teams, which can be involved when patients first go home.

Swallowing

On admission to the stroke unit, our specialist nurses will complete a water swallow screen. If this identifies you at risk of swallowing difficulties then you will be automatically referred to the speech and language therapists. They will do a more in depth assessment and advise you of any strategies that can help your swallow. They may recommend you modify your diet to make it easier to chew or thicken your drinks. This will be discussed with you during the assessment.

Some patients may require an instrumental assessment of their swallow (videofluoroscopy). This is a moving xray where you will be asked to swallow barium and images will be taken of your swallow.

If your swallow is not safe, the medical team may recommend that you have a temporary feeding tube (NG tube). The medical team, dietitian and speech therapists will regularly review to work with you and your family to return to oral intake.

Communication

People with stroke can experience difficulties communicating. This can include understanding what someone is saying and finding the right words. It can also affect reading and writing. If you have communication difficulties when admitted then you will be seen by a Speech and Language Therapist for assessment and advice. If further therapy is needed then your SLT will work with you to decide therapy goals and approaches. This may include 1:1 therapy, providing friends and family with advice and/or group work.

We run a communication group every week. Education around strokes and communication difficulties is provided. It allows people with communication difficulties to build their confidence and practice their strategies in a functional and enjoyable setting.

Our PACT group (People with Aphasia Communicating Together) runs once a month. This is an opportunity for people with aphasia in hospital and people who are now at home to meet and share their experiences. This is facilitated by the SLT team and volunteers who have previously had strokes.