Our Services
Description
The Speech-Language Department offers services under the auspices of Primary Health Care.
Speech language services are offered in hospitals where SLPs are committed to help people to communicate to the best of their abilities and swallow safely. Intervention in an interdisciplinary team aims to maximise the communication potential of their service users by identifying, modifying and enriching their communicative environment. Services are also provided in long stay institutions & elderly homes.
Services in the community are offered from all health centres and various district clinics to ensure service user access. Domiciliary visits are organised to service users who have mobility difficulties.
For school aged children, intervention in mainstream schools makes it possible to provide intervention for children as an integral part of their school life in such a way as to enable educators to incorporate the aims of the communication and language intervention within the curriculum. Services are also provided in special schools, where clinicians work with students with a variety of special educational needs. The service is delivered within the schools themselves and in close collaboration with the school staff.
Our role includes both the care of the individual and the education of the community.
The Speech Language Pathologist assesses, treats and helps prevent speech, language and swallowing difficulties caused by injury, disability or illness in individuals of all ages. The SLP offers guidance, diagnostic assessments, intervention, support and information for both clients and their carers, and recommends and encourage changes which could result in more effective intervention for our clients.
The Speech-Language Pathologist’s responsibilities include:
Guidance
Diagnostic assessment
Therapy
Referral to other professionals
Support
Information for clients and carers
Education for the general public
- Prevention programmes
Procedure
The department operates on an open-referral system. This allows the general public to have the best possible access to the services delivered. This means that referrals can be made directly by the client or carer to the speech-language pathologist.
Eligibility
One may contact directly the nearest speech language clinic. Other professionals and carers may also refer you to a speech language unit. These include family members, teachers, doctors, nurses, social workers, psychologists or other professionals.
Any individuals who are experiencing the following:
Communication problems associated with hearing and sensory impairments, learning disability and autism;
Problems in articulation, phonology and grammar;
Fluency problems;
Reading and writing problems related to specific learning difficulties;
Speech and language delay;
Voice disorders including dysphonia and laryngectomy;
Neurological conditions (e.g. head injuries, stroke, progressive diseases);
- Swallowing and feeding difficulties.
Required Documents
No specific documents are requires. However, any relevant documents (e.g. medical reports; Well-Baby Record Book) from other professionals relating to the difficulty would be useful.
Back Office Process
A full assessment and evaluation of your communication abilities and if indicated, a thorough assessment of oral motor skills and swallowing abilities.
An intervention program according to your needs.
To be given an appointment for a new case within 15 working days.
To be given follow up appointments as indicated by the speech language pathologist according to your needs.
To attend intervention sessions that will normally take between 30 and 45 minutes.
To be seen within 10 minutes of your appointment time. Exceptional circumstances may sometimes prevent us from achieving this target.
To have all records and information about you stored in a confidential manner.
To be given detailed information regarding your condition.
To have any questions about your condition answered.
To be seen by a state registered dedicated speech language pathologist.
To be followed by the same speech language pathologist and if change is necessary you will be informed beforehand.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: How are services accessed in the community?
Answer: Our services are offered on an open-referral system. One may call at their local Health Centre or District Clinic to make an appointment with the Speech-Language Pathologist offering their services there.
Other Links
Downloads
How to Contact Us
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You can contact us by:
- Coming personally to our office
- Contacting us via phone or fax
- Writing to us
Our Office
Address
Speech-Language Department
Ingiered Road
Luqa LQA3301
Telephone
+356 2123 0822
E-mail
Opening hours
We are open during the following hours:
Monday-Friday 7.30 a.m. – 3.30 p.m.
When you visit our Office we will:
- Be quick, courteous and helpful
- Welcome you in a clean and friendly environment.
When you phone us you can expect us to:
- Answer promptly
- Identify ourselves.
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